The Group 1 racing spotlight shifts to Queensland this Saturday for the running of the Doomben 10,000. With the Group 2 Spirit Of Boom Classic and The Group 3 Rough Habit Plate Cummings Stakes also featuring, it is the perfect way to kick off the Brisbane Winter! Flemington hosts the Listed Andrew Ramsden for the stayers, and with the victor gaining a golden ticket into the Melbourne Cup, all roads lead to headquarters.
Doomben Race 6
#11 El Morzillo
El Morzillo looks progressive. The Star Witness filly hasn’t been racing with a lot of luck, and I suspect the camp are praying for a change in fortune. The talented two-year-old has savaged the line all campaign, and her next win is just around the corner. The 1200m looks ideal at this stage of her campaign, and if she can stay in touch with the peloton during the early stages of the race, she can blouse her rivals late. Her fate may be decided early doors from the carpark draw.
Angel Capital will have supporters after a sensational win on debut. The Harry Angel colt put his rivals to the sword a long way from home, and he broke the on-course clocks with his sizzling late sectionals. The back marker looks exciting, and if he can record another victory here, there will be an air of expectation and a boom surrounding him. His racing pattern and style will always require an element of luck.
Suggested Bet: El Morzillo @ $4.50
Doomben RACE 8
#1 I Wish I Win
I Wish I Win has one hoof on the till. The Savabeel gelding savaged the line at his latest outing, and he put the writing on the wall for a successful and fruitful campaign ahead. The flashy five-year-old has been smashed in early betting, and I expect his quote will shorten further with the James McDonald and Peter Moody combination front and centre here. He strips fitter after his recent outing, and with even luck in transit on Saturday, he looks hard to toss.
Private Eye is too consistent to dismiss. The Al Maher gelding was game in defeat on a bottomless track in the All Aged, and he looks suited dropping back to the six-furlongs. The middle gate provides Blake Shinn a menagerie of options, and if the favourite has an off day or doesn’t get off the dulex at the pointy end of the race, I expect Hall and Oats fans will be celebrating.
Suggested Bet: I Wish I Win @ $2.00
#1 Kintyre
Kintyre is in career-best form. The Hallowed Crown gelding has won his latest two outings, and he looks ominous jumping from barrier one on Saturday. The step out to 2000m is advantageous, and I suspect he is rock-hard fit after a lengthy and successful campaign. The big boy can camp on the leaders’ back throughout, and if the gaps appear when the whips are cracking, I suspect he will get his chance to record a hat trick.
Autumn Angel is airborne! The Autumn Sun filly beat world-class opposition in the ATC Oaks, and she looks well placed in this company. The drop back to 2000m could prove a training a masterstroke, and her best performance could be fences and panels above her rivals. The biggest obstacles are the awkward barrier and the ability to produce another peak performance.
Suggested Bet: Kintyre @ $7.50
Flemington Race 7
#4 It'sourtime
It’sourtime was beaten by a fierce track bias at his latest. The Time For War gelding savaged the line from a minute back, and he produced some of the fastest closing splits for the Warrnambool carnival. He finds his favourite track and distance and will be suited to the wide draw late in the day. He looks well placed in this company, and his best performance could blow his rivals away. Over the odds!
Maharba is flying at present. The Pride Of Dubai gelding was a brilliant last-start winner at Mornington, and with luck in transit, he can continue on his winning way. He traditionally performs well at Flemington and finds his pet distance here. The allocated weight is a luxury, and I suspect he has been trained to the minute for this event. I am unsure the inside draw will be advantageous with his racing pattern and style.
Suggested Bet: It’sourtime @ $13.00
Flemington Race 8
#12 The Map
The Map is racing in great spirit. The Alpine Eagle mare was game in defeat two starts back, while her latest outing resulted in a breathtaking victory. Her record at the distance must be respected, and she can save every inch of ground throughout from the perfect inside draw. The talented five-year-old has been heavily supported since markets opened, and I suspect the camp has one eye on the first Tuesday in November. I’m happy to push the chips in.
Samuel Langhorne is over the odds. The Shocking gelding has won his last three events in fine style and deserves his shot at this level. The penny has well and truly dropped for the precocious four-year-old, and I suspect he is ready to produce a preparation and career peak on Saturday. A must for all broader multiples and exotics.
Suggested Bet: The Map @ $3.00
Flemington Race 9
#12 Mr Maestro
Mr Maestro looks outstanding each way value. Both runs this preparation have been full of merit, and I suspect he has been trained to explode third-up from a spell. The mile suits at this stage of the campaign, and the 53.5kg brings the Savabeel gelding into all winning conversations. His recent winning record is the biggest deterrent.
Bank Maur is racing well without winning. The Maurice entire finds a suitable assignment, and he is due for a change of fortune in transit. The quick backup suits, and I suspect he will appreciate the current track conditions. From the awkward barrier, he can roll forward and sit on the lure, and if can pinch some cheap sectionals during the middle stages of the race, he will look the winner as they run for the doctor.
Suggested Bet: Mr Maestro @ $16.00
