Day 2 of the Brisbane winter carnival is the racing highlight this Saturday. The $1,000,000 Group 1 Doomben cup is the main event on a bumper card that also features a menagerie of Group and Listed events. Around the grounds, both Royal Randwick and Sandown Hillside host competitive and tricky programs.
Doomben Race 6
#13 Torabella
Torabella can run a drum at a decent double-figure quote. The Toronado mare put three victories together earlier in the campaign, and she has been good without winning against quality opposition since. With even luck in transit, I expect sharp improvement, and I suspect the booking of champion hoop Craig Williams will attract significant late market support. The enigmatic four-year-old is undefeated at the track and distance and is drawn to perfection in barrier three. Over the odds!
Vivy Air will start race favourite after three honest performances this campaign. The perfect inside draw puts the Hellbent mare into all winning calculations, and the form around her has stood up time and again. The mile is ideal at this stage of the preparation, and the Ciaron Maher factor must be respected. I am unsure her racing pattern and style will suit the Doomben circuit.
Suggested Bet: Torabella @ $14.00
Doomben Race 7
#6 Philia
Philia is winning for fun at present. The All Too Hard filly has upside for days, and the longer trip looks right up her alley. The Kerrin McEvoy and David Vandyke combination will attract further market support, and I suspect she will start race favourite if the avalanche of money continues. She will pilot the field with a clean break from the barriers, and if she can control the clock throughout, she may prove hard to run down. Acid test!
Benagil was a brilliant winner of the Australasian Oaks at her latest outing. It was a great reward for her consistency and effort, and she meets easier opposition here. The 2000m won’t pose any problems, and I suspect the camp already have their eyes focused on the Queensland Oaks. A recent barrier trial was ominous, and I suspect her best performance here could turn this event into a mere formality. I would prefer to promote and support her case over further and deeper into her preparation.
Suggested Bet: Philia @ $4.80
#1 Antino
Antino has returned to racing in fine style. The Redwood gelding was an explosive winner of the Hollindale, and I suspect the 2000m will suit him to a tee. The Group 1 star handles all track conditions, and his versatility alone puts him into all winning conversations. The weight-for-age conditions suit, and his performances during the spring are still fresh in the memory bank. The carpark draw is the primary concern.
Fawkner Park is ready to win. The Zoffany gelding is coming through some hot form races from the autumn, and his efforts behind the world-class Via Sistina reads extremely well for this event. He will eat up every inch of the 2000m, and if the favourite has an off day, I expect him to capitalise in the shadows. He needs to put another win on the board!
Suggested Bet: Antino @ $3.40
Doomben Race 9
#1 Yellow Brick
Yellow Brick represents great each way value. The Mission gelding is a first-up specialist, and he resumes after producing a string of impressive barrier trials. The versatile five-year-old finds a winnable assignment fresh, and his best performance here could prove decisive. The middle gate provides multiple options during the race’s early stages, and the inform Andrew Mallyon has already built a winning association with the talented galloper. Over the odds!
War Machine was a brilliant last-start winner at Caulfield. The Harry Angel was ridden more positively from the outset, and his impressive tactical speed put the race to bed as they ran for the doctor. He strips fitter as a result, and he deserves his shot at this level. The middle gate is advantageous, and the key appointment of Blake Shinn speaks volumes. He will be thereabouts again.
Suggested Bet: Yellow Brick @ $17.00
Randwick Race 8
#6 Cool Jakey
Cool, Jakey is tough as old boots. The Pierro gelding fought and held off a smart one at his latest outing, and he finds his ideal conditions. The talented five-year-old grows an extra leg in the wet, and I suspect he is rock-hard fit after a lengthy and fruitful campaign. He is ready for the longer trip, and if he finds the bunny uncontested during the early stages of the race, it could be a times and margin job. Hard to toss!
Green Fly is one cool customer. The Frankel gelding stormed home to get the cash from another suburb and meets similar opposition here. The step out to the mile is advantageous, and I suspect he will get the run of the race from a perfect inside draw. The big boy has been well supported since fields were finalised, and he looks too progressive to dismiss. His racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune.
Suggested Bet: Cool Jakey @ $2.70
Sandown Race 8
#13 Elouyou
Elouyou is flying at present! The So You Think gelding made it two victories on the bounce at his latest outing, and he looks set to continue on his winning ways. The 53kg is luxurious, and the talented five-year-old handles all track conditions. His record at the trip must be respected, and he has been heavily supported since acceptances. Hard to toss with even luck in transit!
Accredited is the obvious danger to the favourite. The All Too Hard gelding savaged the line fresh, and he put the writing on the wall for a next-start triumph. He traditionally performs well second-up, and he is undefeated at the trip. The early money trail is significant, and the camp are currently training winners for fun. The awkward gate is his biggest obstacle.
Suggested Bet: Elouyou @ $3.30
