Graeme Carey’s tips, race-by-race analysis for Doomben on Saturday: $3.70 best bet

A gelding with strong Sydney form can provide a nice collect for punters when he steps out at Doomben on Saturday. Get Graeme Carey’s best bets and analysis for the nine-race card.

The Chris Waller-trained Caboche brings strong Sydney form to Doomben on Saturday and can be the testing material in race six. Picture: Bradley Photos

We know it is off-season when No Metro Win Handicaps feature on Saturdays.

But there are winners to be found and I am with Sydney form – as well as sticking with a few that have been knocking on the door.

With the rail out 2.5 metres and no rain forecast, well-drawn on-speed runners will be advantaged.

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BEST BET

CABOCHE (Race 6 No 6)

NEXT BEST

ARTFUL GIRL (Race 4 No 11)

VALUE BET

READY AZZ EVA (Race 3 No 3)

QUADDIE
Race 6: 1,2,6
Race 7: 1.7
Race 8: 1,3,11
Race 9: 1,4,10,16
72 combinations

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Race 1: Two-Year-Old Handicap 1350m

Several of these met a fortnight ago and BELLA KHADIJAH (4) made ground behind ENTERPRISE DEFENCE (1) and SAVOUR THE DREAM (2) to hit the line better than any. She is still a Maiden but placed behind black-type winners Switzerland and Castanya on debut which rates well in this field. Now third-up a better gate helps and Jag Guthmann-Chester will ride positively.

SAVOUR THE DREAM (2) over-raced, was held up and did plenty wrong but was only narrowly beaten last start. Winkers go on to improve his focus and with Jim Orman replacing Jim Byrne will be hard to hold out.

ENTERPRISE DEFENCE (1) beat SAVOUR THE DREAM (2) here but meets him 1.5kg worse. He isn’t as well drawn this time but Michael Rodd stays on and will give him every chance.

DATA SCRAMBLE (5) brings a different form line, beating Wednesday’s Ipswich winner Mister Bianco on debut at Eagle Farm when coming from well back. This is harder but she drops 0.5kg and the extra distance suits.

Verdict: Not much between these but Sydney form is with BELLA KHADIJAH (4).

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Race 2: Class 3 Plate 1615m

Plate conditions suit MADAME ODETTE (8) which has been a victim of circumstances at her past two outings, particularly last start when she did everything but win a Benchmark 85. The highest rated horse in the field, she is fitter for three outings and there will be no excuses with Jim Orman.

CUNNAMULLA FELLA (4) has hit his straps and put paid to a Benchmark 70 field here last start over a similar trip. Plate conditions aren’t ideal but he keeps improving and will get every chance with Michael Rodd.

Kristen Buchanan has had success in Queensland before and CHEVRON (7) brings solid NSW form having picked up the minor placing in the Grafton Guineas last start. He gives a start but Taylor Marshall stays on and will know what to do.

The blinkers come off MORE TROUBLE (9) which was too keen at his first outing in eight weeks on a heavy track in the Winx Guineas. There is no speed in this and fitter from his last outing, Angela Jones can take the bull by the horns and test them out.

Verdict: Tempo an issue but MADAME ODETTE (8) has class on her side.

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Race 3: Benchmark 68 Handicap 1350m

There is improvement with READY AZZ EVA (3) which made ground from a wide gate on a heavy track when resuming at Eagle Farm. She won her only previous start over this trip here and will hit the line for jag Guthmann-Chester.

SET TO SHINE (7) has been in good form at the midweeks this preparation and Tony Gollan is giving her a chance in Saturday grade. A sister to Houtzen, she won’t reach those heights but from a good gate with Angela Jones this may not be beyond her.

Visors go on THE INFLICTOR (4) which has been racing well without winning and will appreciate a good gate and 3kg claim. She steps up to 1350m which poses some concerns but a positive ride will help.

Doomben isn’t her favourite track but CASROCK (5) rarely puts in a bad one and will get all the favours with Cejay Graham from a good gate.

Verdict: Upside with READY AZZ EVA (3).

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Race 4: Benchmark 70 Handicap 2020m

A big field and I am looking for those that can avoid the speed bumps. ARTFUL GIRL (11) isn’t one to win out of turn but this is her track and distance. She made ground on a heavy track behind DIABLO BOLT (3) at the Sunshine Coast, meets him 2.5kg better and with a positive ride from Marnu Potgeiter will be hard to hold out.

DIABLO BOLT (3) doesn’t have a stayer’s pedigree but has shown this trip is far from beyond him at recent outings. He is getting up in the weights but makes his own luck and will get every chance with Jag Guthmann-Chester.

MOTELL (7) is fitter for three outings and will appreciate the rise in distance. He has won over this trip previously and with Alisha Donald’s 3kg claim can make his presence felt.

A positive ride helped IRON GRACE (16) last start and she fought hard to the line. The step up in trip is a question mark but she is out of a Zabeel mare and with a similar ride from Samantha Collett can defy them to run her down.

Verdict: Take your pick, mine is ARTFUL GIRL (11).

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Race 5: Open Handicap 1350m

It has been a while between drinks for THE VOWELS (4) but his first-up effort was encouraging and he has trialled since. He has a strong second-up record and if Ryan Maloney can help him recapture his three-year-old form where he won five straight will put these to the sword.

A small field suits FLYING TRAPEZE (8) which did everything but win here a fortnight ago. He needs the right tempo but drops 2.5kg and with Ron Stewart will be rounding them up again,

DEVASTATE (5) drops back in trip after being a beaten favourite in the Rockhampton Cup when having his first outing for Tony Gollan. A Group 3 winner in New Zealand, he has a good record at this trip and will get a positive ride from Angela Jones.

DEEPOUR (2) was never in the hunt from a wide gate in the Ramornie but passed a few late. He hasn’t won for over a year and Adam Campton has stepped him up in trip. The jury is out but he meets an easier field and his last win came with Jim Orman.

Verdict: A touch of class with THE VOWELS (4).

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Race 6: Benchmark 90 Handicap 2020m

Sydney Saturday form is with CABOCHE (6) which is fitter for two outings and when last here bolted in by four lengths, leaving ROGUE BEAR (10) trailing in his wake. He carries 2.5kg less in slightly higher grade and with Jim Orman is the one to beat.

SNEAK PREVIEW (1) wasn’t disgraced in the Rockhampton Cup and has won at this trip previously. The old firm of David Vandyke and Ryan Maloney reunite and fitter for four outings this time in will make their presence felt.

A 3kg claim for Emily Lang helps EAGLEMONT (2), which gave a start but was running on late in a Listed race over 1600m last start. This trip is not beyond him and with a positive ride will be in the frame.

ROGUE BEAR (10) is fitter for two outings and was hitting the line over 1600m here last start. CABOCHE towelled him up when they last met over this trip but be does a get a 2kg weight swing and will hit the line for Andrew Mallyon.

Verdict: CABOCHE (6) goes well here.

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Race 7: Three-Year-Old Colts and Geldings Handicap 1200m

Hard to go past INVINCIBLE SHIELD (1) which was a bit keen but far too good for them here last start over 1110m. He demolished the promising RIMBAUD (7) here two starts back over this trip and that form has been franked. He rises 4.5kg but Angela Jones stays on and is the one to beat.

RIMBAUD (7) was well beaten by INVINCIBLE SHIELD (1) two starts back but has won since and meets him 3kg better. He drops back in trip but is improving at each outing and will be strong late.

BOHEMIAN LAD (3) chased INVINCIBLE SHIELD (1) home last start and meets him 3.5kg better. He is poorly drawn but is yet to run a bad race and Nikita Beriman will give him his chance.

ADDRIEL (2) is a useful type that was too good when resuming at Ipswich on a heavy track. He has speed and from the awkward gate Ryan Maloney will know what to do.

Verdict: INVINCIBLE SHIELD (1) to get it done again.

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Race 8: Three-Year-Old Fillies Handicap 1200m

Blinkers go on AVONE (3) which has been freshened after taking on stronger class than this at recent outings and has a placing at Listed level which is better than any of these. A good draw helps and with Jim Orman she will be hard to hold out.

FEMME FATALE (1) didn’t enjoy the heavy track when resuming at the Sunshine Coast but will strip fitter for this. She gives them all weight but has won five of ten, has speed and from a wide gate Cejay Graham knows what to do.

SPIRITUAL SONG (11) ran a bold race to score on debut and Tony Gollan has had no hesitation stepping her up to Saturday grade. The ace draw helps and she will be prominent for a long way.

GREYZOUS (5) fought on near the rail and just missed the placings at Eagle Farm last start. Ryan Maloney replaces Cejay Graham and will give her every chance.

Verdict: Class is with AVONE (3).

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Race 9: No Metro Wins Handicap 1200m

Tony Gollan has a couple of chances but there is upside with I SEE YOU COMING (10), which is fitter for two outings and wasn’t beaten far when favourite in a Benchmark 68 here last start. Angela Jones stays on, he drops 5.5kg and will be well-placed throughout.

BEAUX RUMBLE (1) gives them all weight but is fitter for two outings, likes to lead and will get all the favours with Michael Rodd from the ace.

The other Gollan runner HURTS SO GOOD (4) will need some help with scratchings but has notched up a hat-trick at the provincials, drops 2kg and will get a positive ride from Jim Orman.

BEAU WITNESS (16) has won both outings since resuming, bolting in at Toowoomba last start. Stacey Callow gets a rare ride in town and will be looking to make the most of it.

Verdict: I SEE YOU COMING (10) can make amends.

Originally published as Graeme Carey’s tips, race-by-race analysis for Doomben on Saturday: $3.70 best bet