Graeme Carey’s Doomben preview and tips for Saturday, August 7

Fields of even quality at Doomben on Saturday so it will pay to stick with horses and riders that can make their own luck.

Race 1 – QTIS 3YO Handicap (1350m)
The penny seems to have dropped with the Natalie McCall-trained HAMLET VON SNITZEL (3) which followed up his Rockhampton maiden win with a dominant midweek victory over this trip 10 days ago. With an in-form Jim Orman replacing Ryan Maloney, he can lead from the good gate and is the one they have to run down. DERANI (2) has won twice and not been out of the top four this preparation. He comes off a good win at Ipswich over 1200m and a repetition has him in the finish. RELEASE THE BEANS (1) showed courage to come again and win narrowly at Eagle Farm last start. He rises 2kg but will be competitive again. ROCKIN’ ARTIE (5) ran on and wasn’t beaten far by RELEASE THE BEANS last start. Fitter for two outings, the extra distance suits and he meets RELEASE THE BEANS 3kg better which may be enough to turn the tables.
Betting Strategy: HAMLET VON SNITZEL (3) the one to beat but a bit too short for me. ROCKIN’ ARTIE (5) is a roughie with a chance.

Race 2 – Benchmark 90 Handicap (2200m)
It is unlikely they will set any speed records in this and he who controls the tempo will probably win. TAVION PRINCE (4) has been an honest performer since joining Tony Gollan and both of his wins have come at this track. He isn’t best suited leading but from gate one may have to and prove hard to run down. LONDON BANKER (5) has improved at each outing for Kelly Schweida and put them away comfortably in a Benchmark 78 last week at Eagle Farm. This harder but he drops 2.5kg and if he gets a tempo to suit, will be the one that runs past TAVION PRINCE late. HE RUNS AWAY (1) is a dour stayer that has won his last two outings at Doomben over this trip. He only battled last start over 2020m here but that was straight after a 3200m outing in Sydney and he may have been a bit flat. Luke Dittman stays on and while the tempo may not be ideal this is his track and distance. It has been a long time between drinks for PRIORITISE (2) but the Steve Tregea stable is going so well he cannot be ignored. At his last outing PRIORITISE made ground late over 1615m here behind Willo Titto and has won previously up to 2000m. Fitter for three outings he is ready for this trip and if they go at a pedestrian tempo has the turn of foot to put them away in the run home.
Betting Strategy: TAVION PRINCE (4) has been good to me. One unit to win. PRIORITISE (2) for the speculators.

Race 3 – Class 3 Plate (1050m)
A small field but with most of the speed drawn out wide there will be a charge early. Johnny Field has given TRAMONTO (5) a nine-week break after an impressive winter campaign which saw him just miss in a Listed race Eagle Farm and be runner-up in the Gold Coast Guineas behind Marboosha three starts back over 1200m. When first-up last preparation after a similar break he bolted in at the Gold Coast over 1100m and while this is much harder, he has improved significantly. From gate three TRAMONTO draws to do no work and can kick the prep off on a good note. CONTEMPTUOUS (1) is resuming on the back of a good trial and two of his three wins have come when first-up. At his most recent outing he toyed with Class 2 field at Ipswich over 1200m when long odds-on and his previous form included placings behind talented gallopers like Weona Smartone and Amiche. He has placed at six of seven starts and tracks to get a good run at the back of a hot tempo. AVIEMORE (6) was disappointing when well supported at Eagle Farm but the surface there may not have suited and she can improve on a track where she has won twice previously. SHANJOMI (7) is another that may have struggled on the Eagle Farm surface last start when she led but faded out behind Triple Ace over 1200m in a 3YO Handicap. At her previous outing when resuming she beat Front Money here in a midweek Class 3 over 1200m and despite 1.5kg more that form reads well. She has won three of five starts, this shorter trip may suit and she has the speed to be prominent.
Betting Strategy: TRAMONTO (5) the one with upside but will watch the market. If the track gets in the soft range SHANJOMI (7) becomes a threat.

Race 4 – Class 6 Handicap (1600m)
DZSENIFER (10) is a smart mare that has been taking on good 3YO company. Narrowly beaten by Palaisipan when resuming at Ipswich over 1350m and following up with runner-up efforts in the Winx Guineas at Sunshine Coast and last start here to MAGIC CONQUEROR (6) over 1615m. She takes on older horses but drops to 54.5kg and will be near the speed throughout. Matt Smith places his horses well and BENTLEY MAGIC (8) loomed up dangerously at Doomben in this grade over 1350m when having his first Queensland start this preparation. He hasn’t won for 48 weeks but has a win at the trip and the near side blinker going on will help. The stablemate MILK MAN (1) is another that loves this track and while his recent form is poor at his last start here ran third to Cloak in a Class 6 Plate over this trip. ZIEMBA (5) was held up in the straight last start here in this grade over 1350m and wasn’t far away when fifth to Ulysses. He is a horse that needs the right tempo and luck in running but has had success at this trip previously and is now reaching peak fitness. PROSPECTUS (4) has found his perfect sort of race. He wasn’t far away in a Benchmark 85 behind Willo Titto last start over this trip and while up 2kg can be in the finish if given a positive ride by Jim Byrne. Not discounting the chances of MAGIC CONQUEROR which got all the favours last start and FIGHTING COMMANDO (11) which steps up in grade but has exemplary provincial form.
Betting Strategy: I continue to tip DZSENIFER (10) but can’t come at the odds here in what is a wide open race. The value might be with the Matt Smith runners.

Race 5 – Benchmark 72 Handicap (1600m)
Lindsay Hatch maintains a strike rate of 20 per cent and when he brings them to town they are usually on a mission. WHAM (2) was having his second start for the stable when resuming at Toowoomba and bolted in by more than three lengths. This is much harder but when with Mike Moroney earlier in his career, the Fiorente gelding showed he was up to this grade in Victoria winning four times up to 1400m and at his last start over this trip, he was narrowly beaten by High ‘n’ Dry at Sandown. WHAM’s best efforts come when ridden forward and with gate two and his 3kg claim Jaden Lloyd will get the gun run off what should be a good tempo. ALDERMAN (3) is an honest fellow and has shown he has come back well with runner-up efforts in midweek company at both outings since resuming. He steps up to a more suitable trip here and while this is harder. The Longhorn seven-year-old has a good Doomben record and won third-up previously. He can make his own luck and be in the finish. DEADLY SINS (8) is another that has come up from Victoria and has put in two solid efforts since resuming for Tony and Maddy Sears. At his most recent start he led and held them all off in a Benchmark 65 over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast. This is harder but he drops 1.5kg and Baylee Nothdurft can keep him out of trouble. Other chances include ADELASE (9) which is coming off a good midweek win a Class 3 here over 1650m and the enigmatic MAKEDON (10) which bolted in when first-up last preparation.
Betting Strategy: Expecting money to come for WHAM (2) but each-way ALDERMAN (3) also worth consideration.

Race 6 – F&M NMW Handicap (1200m)
Kris Lees has brought FROZEN IN TIME (6) north and while she hasn’t won for 38 weeks, she has run well at this track previously and should be up to this class. She never got a clear crack at them last start in a Benchmark 72 over 1100m on the Kensington track at Randwick and third-up, should be ready to go. She drops 3kg on her last outing, will get a good run off the speed and can hit the line. The Edmonds stable has been battling of late but their better horses are returning and THE PINES (1) has a good first-up record winning three of four tries. Her most recent trial was impressive, and all six wins have been at this trip the latest a Class 6 at the Sunshine Coast. She can be tardy at the start but if she gets her away on terms, will be hard to hold out. POWER BOOM (9) hit the line hard when resuming at Eagle Farm over 1000m. The Spirit Of Boom filly is yet to win beyond 1100m but she has placed three times at this trip and will get a gun run from gate three. PURRONI (5) has had a let-up since being narrowly beaten at Ipswich over 1350m in this class. She is yet to win this preparation but has won here previously and Jim Byrne will have her handy throughout. SHE CAN SING (13) is a promising one having won two of three starts and trialled well at Beaudesert on Monday. She is up in grade and the gate tests, but the Michael Costa stable has a good strike rate first-up and can’t be ignored. DIS DAH WUN (3) is another that goes well fresh and has abundant speed. Tony and Maddie Sears has put the blinkers on and with Leah Kilner’s 3kg claim she can take advantage of gate two. FRONT MONEY (4) is in good form at the midweeks and likes this track winning a Class 2 Plate over this trip here last start. This is harder but with Mark Du Plessis she should be prominent.
Betting Strategy: Keen on THE PINES (1) but can’t trust her to begin and will have one unit each-way on FROZEN IN TIME (6) at good odds.

Race 7 – C, G&E NMW Handicap (1200m)
John Moore is working the promising SO CLEVER (11) through the classes and can take a further step in this no metro win Handicap. The lightly raced Choisir gelding won his first two outings in easy fashion before sitting three-wide throughout to be narrowly beaten by Luskin Hero last start in a Benchmark 72 over this trip. Jim Byrne replaces the inexperienced apprentice and from gate four with only 54kg is the one to beat. TRENGGANU (7) hasn’t lived up to his early promise but all is not yet lost and his third to Colpo Di Tamburo in this class over 1050m had merit. He has won twice over 1200m and placed at both previous Doomben starts. From gate two Ron Stewart will get the gun run on the speed and he could be hard to pass. FAR TOO EASY (12) has shown promise winning both two-year-old outings easily at Grafton the most recent over 1200m. This is much harder but he has speed and Chris Caserta can take advantage of gate one. FUJI FLYER (1) was in the photo with SO CLEVER last start and will appreciate Leah Kilner’s 3kg claim. He can be a risk at the start but if he jumps cleanly will be strong late. ANGUS THE BLACK (4) is capable fresh and has won twice previously at Doomben. He is another that will get back but could hit the line for Robbie Fradd.
Betting Strategy: SO CLEVER (11) hard to beat. Three units the win but not taking red figures. TRENGGANU (7) chance of an upset at odds.

Race 8 – Open Handicap (1110m)
Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted have a good one in SHOOTING FOR GOLD (5) which has won six out of 10 and resumed with a comprehensive win when long odds-on in a Class 6 at Eagle Farm over 1000m where his best work was done late. This is harder but he drops 3kg and is unbeaten second-up. Baylee Nothdurft will go back from the wide gate but the tempo will be strong and he can hit the line hard. The stablemate TOTALLY CHARMED (6) won when resuming over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast and while he rises 1kg, Steph Thornton stays on. A strong speed will suit and he can finish off. Tony Gollan has two runners, both good chances. EF TROOP (7) was only narrowly beaten when second-up over 1200m at Eagle Farm. Three of his four career wins have been here and with Jaden Lloyd’s 3kg claim if he can kick away on the corner will be hard to run down. JUST ORM (3) was having his first outing for seven weeks when third over 1000 at Sunshine Coast last start. Jim Byrne knows him well having won four times on him previously and as a six-time Doomben with gate one in his favour he will get every chance. SNITZ (1) hasn’t won for 68 weeks but has been racing in much stronger company than this, he has won four times at this track and three starts back placed in Listed company over 1200m at Gosford. A repeat of that effort would have him in the finish.
Betting Strategy: SHOOTING FOR GOLD (5) the one to beat but is no lay-down misère and expect EF TROOP (7) to give a bold sight.

Race 9 – Benchmark 85 Handicap (1350m)
An open race to end the day but Tony Gollan has a good hand with REALLY DISCREET (13) which made amends for her defeat at Rockhampton with a dominant effort in a fillies and mares’ Class 6 last start over this trip. This is harder but she drops 1.5kg and has won two of her three starts here. From a good gate, she will get the gun run throughout and be hard to beat. SNOWZONE (5) loves this track winning five times here and held off some good ones in Axe and Gee Tee Tee to win a Class 6 here last start. He has been kept fresh by Kris Lees and will be near the speed with Andrew Mallyon staying aboard. SNOWZONE (5) needs the sting out of the ground but if conditions suit will be right in the finish. ACROBATIC (17) wasn’t far away behind Luskin Hero in a Benchmark 72 last start over 1200m following a good win in similar grade at the midweeks over 1110m when second-up. Kelly Schweida has stepped the Snitzel gelding up in class and distance he with gets a 7kg drop in weight with Jaden Lloyds’s claim. Pacifiers go on and despite the wide gate ACROBATIC has the speed to be prominent for a long way. AT WITZ END (3) has won two of three this time the latest this class and distance four weeks back beating ROMAN AUREUS. Brad Stewart replaces Ryan Maloney, he rises 2.5kg and will have to overcome a wide gate but winning form is good form. ROMAN AUREUS (4) raced wide last start and couldn’t hold off Ulysses last start in a Class 6 over this trip. He has been runner-up at all three outings this time in and the change of rider to Adin Thompson with a 2kg claim may improve his fortune. STUTTERING (8) led before fading in a Class 6 behind Ulysses and ROMAN AUREUS last start. Fitter for two outings he can go forward for Mark Du Plessis and give a sight.
Betting Strategy: REALLY DISCREET (13) the one to beat but if track gets to soft (6) or worse I will be on SNOWZONE (5).

BEST BET:
SO CLEVER (Race 7 No 11)

NEXT BEST:
TAVION PRINCE (Race 2 No 4)

VALUE BET:
FROZEN IN TIME (Race 6 No 6)

Quaddie numbers are:
Race 6: 1, 5, 6, 9
Race 7: 7, 11
Race 8: 5, 7
Race 9: 3, 5, 13, 17
64 Combinations

Originally published asDoomben preview: Saturday, August 7

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