Day 1 of the Brisbane winter carnival is the racing highlight this Saturday. The Group 1 Doomben 10,000 is the feature event on a stunning card with a host of Group and Listed events. In New South Wales, the Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic will have the punters flocking to Scone, the horse capital of Australia, while the Andrew Ramsden at Flemington provides a golden ticket into the race that stops the nation.
Doomben Race 6
#1 Sir Delius
Sir Delius makes his Australian debut for the Gai Waterhouse camp. The Frankel entire has world-class form, and his career record is nearly perfect. His trials leading into his first-up assignment have been top-notch, and his performance in the Arc de Triomphe reads incredibly well for this event. Hard to toss!
Immediacy is racing well at present. The progressive Tarzino gelding has won two on the bounce, and I suspect he has further improvement for the current campaign. His record at the distance must be respected, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on the majority of his rivals. He will be thereabouts with even luck in transit.
Suggested Bet: Sir Delius @ $2.50
Doomben Race 7
#2 In Flight
In Flight is ready to win. The Flying Artie mare has been game in defeat on both occasions this campaign and finds a very winnable assignment on Saturday. Her record at the distance must be respected, and she traditionally motors third-up from a spell. From barrier two, she will drift back and find her hooves, and if she is presented with her long sustaining run at the right time, she can loom to win. Take on trust.
Kin was a horror watch for supporters fresh. The Impending mare was trapped three and four wide without cover throughout, and she was given no realistic chance of tasting victory. She strips fitter after her gut busting performance, and I suspect the camp are out for redemption. Her racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune.
Suggested Bet: See In Flight @ $3.70
#12 Sunshine In Paris
Sunshine In Paris heads to Brisbane with several handy performances under her belt. The Invader mare is ultra-consistent, and I suspect she is ready to peak in Saturday’s Group 1 feature. The swooper will get the sizzling sectionals upfront to suit her racing style, and if she doesn’t get too far out of her ground during the early stages of the contest, she can loom to win late. Jumping from a different suburb is her biggest challenge.
Overpass will look the winner as they run for the doctor. The traditional front-runner doesn’t know how to run poorly, and if he can cheat the clock throughout, the fat lady could be signing before they enter the final furlong. The Vancouver gelding was game in defeat in the Group 1 TJ Smith, and he had genuine excuses at his latest outing in the Perth’s premier sprinting event, the Quokka. Acid test!
Suggested Bet: Sunshine In Paris @ $4.50
Scone Race 7
#6 Soft Love
Soft Love has made the perfect start to her racing career. The Pierata filly is building a picket fence next to her name, and she looks well placed in this company. The drop back to 1100m suits the progressive three-year-old at this campaign stage, and the tsunami of early money indicates another bold performance. She can remain undefeated with the right run in transit.
Gerringong resumes with an air of expectation. The Blue Point filly turned heads during her debut campaign, and her recent trials leading into her first-up assignment should give her key rivals sleepless nights. The form around her has repeatedly stood up, and her best performance here would see her fight out the finish. In the mix.
Suggested Bet: Soft Love @ $3.60
Scone Race 9
#9 Written In Code
Written In Code was good in a hot-form race at her latest outing. Her career record to date is impressive, and she looks well placed here meeting easier opposition. The step out in trip is ideal at this stage of her preparation, and the current track conditions play into her favour. The 53.5kg is a luxury, and barrier three puts her into all winning conversations. She represents great each-way value.
Zeitung is coming off a forgive run. The Exceed And Excel filly was blocked for clear air at a crucial stage of the race, and it may pay dividends to forget that she went around. Her performances this campaign have been good without winning, and I suspect she has the fitness edge on the majority of her rivals after a lengthy preparation. She has a habit of finding trouble at the pointy end of a contest.
Suggested Bet: Written In Code @ $5.00
Flemington Race 7
#12 Berkshire Breeze
Berkshire Breeze is a model of consistency. The Mastercraftsman gelding is knocking on the door, and his form around the progressive Deakin reads well for this event. The talented six-year-old had genuine excuses at Mornington at his latest outing, and I suspect this race has been a long-range target from the astute camp. He loves Flemington more than Bart Cummings, and I expect him to jump as race favourite if the flood of early money continues. Jumping from the fifth row in the Hill Stand is the primary concern.
Smokin’ Romans was a brilliant last-start winner at Warrnambool. The Ghibellines gelding is showing no signs of slowing down in the twilight of his career, and his recent performances at headquarters must be respected. The 2800m looks ideal at this stage of his campaign, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on his key rivals after a lengthy and fruitful campaign. The carpark draw and grandstand weight are his biggest hurdles.
Suggested Bet: Berkshire Breeze @ $5.50
