Doomben Racing Preview – Saturday July 8th

Nine talent rich races are set to run at Doomben Racecourse on Saturday; the major racing card in Brisbane this weekend.

Queen Of Wands will step out at Doomben on Saturday. Photo: Adrienne Bicknell

Queen Of Wands will step out at Doomben on Saturday. Photo: Adrienne Bicknell

Classy fields have been confirmed for all nine races at Doomben on Saturday and we have analysed every runner in each, in order to help you find a winner.

The action is set to get underway with the running of a two-year-old race at 11:37am, while the day will draw to a close after the Quayclean Handicap (1800m) at 4:40pm.

Race 1 (11:37am) Variety – The Children’s Charity Two-Year-Old Plate (1350m)

Ten two-year-olds will contest Race 1 at Doomben on Saturday, including Ilovevegas (barrier 4). The Ilovethiscity colt returned to the races for a smart win at Toowoomba on June 16th and will only improve into this race. Rancho Montoya (barrier 3 ) debuted to racing for a dominant win at Ipswich on June 23rd and is probably the horse to beat once more in this race, while Real Princess (barrier 7) has steadily built to the task and is probably ready to peak after running fourth in the Listed Winning Edge Stakes (1350m) a fortnight ago. Weekend Saga (barrier 5) posted a maiden race win on the Gold Coast a fortnight ago, but faces a notable step up in class into this race.

Tip: No. 7 Real Princes – Each Way ($7/$2.20)

Race 2 (12:12pm) Powertrain Services Class 3 Plate (1050m)

A capacity field of horses has been confirmed for Race 2 at Doomben on Saturday afternoon. Song One (barrier 6) has found strong and consistent form recently and should prove tough to beat once more, while Exceed Battle (barrier 9) returned to winning form second-up, will improve into this race and should have conditions to suit. Tony Gollan will saddle four horses in this race, including Majella Magic (barrier 2) and Khalama (barrier 10). The former finished fourth amongst notably company on the Gold Coast last time and should enjoy a step back in distance, while the latter will have only her second start in Australia and will take plenty of improvement into the race.

Tip: No. 7 Khalama – Each Way ($7.50/$2.85)

Race 3 (12:47pm) Caltex Eagle Farm Two-Year-Old Handicap (1050m)

Thirteen horses remain in contention for Race 3 at Doomben on Saturday following scratchings and there is a case to be made for several runners. Wonder Boom (barrier 8) is seeking a third-consecutive win in the race and could receive the run of the race from his central draw. The Falvelon colt comfortably won a maiden race at Gatton on June 11th, but backed it up in tougher company at Rockhampton last time out. Darktown Strutter (barrier 3) is drawn ideally and is also seeking a third-consecutive win, while Legadema (Barrier 13) will return to the races on Saturday, but showed plenty of ability through his debut campaign and should prove tough to beat.

Tip: No. 1 Legadema – Each Way ($7/$2.30)

Race 4 (1:22pm) BOQ Victoria Point BM80 (2040m)

Several talented horses will take a position in the field for Race 4 at Doomben, however only Anymore (barrier 8) will carry winning form into the race. The All Bar One gelding was an easy winner last time out, but faces a steep rise in class into this field. Brigadier (barrier 12) has been a strong and consistent runner this time in, but will require luck from a wide draw, while Walwa (barrier 1) should take improvement into this race after weathering a tough position in transit to finish third in the Provincial Stayers Cup (2150m) at Ipswich last time out.

Tip: No. 11 Walwa – Each Way ($21/$5.40)

Race 5 (2:02pm) Brett Whalley & Co Handicap (1640m)

Only ten runners have been confirmed in the field for Race 5, however the depth of talent suggests that this will be one of the more well-contested races at Doomben on Saturday. Lord Coconuts (barrier 9) flew home to win the Ipswich Mile (1600m) on Cup Day and should be tough to beat again. William Wallace (barrier 8) failed to fire in the Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) last weekend, but will relish a step back in class and step up in distance into this race. Colour Charge (barrier 2), Mr Epic (barrier 5) and Pindan Pearl (barrier 4) are all more than capable at the class and distance.

Tip: No. 7 William Wallace ($5)

Race 6 (2:42pm) Spicers Balfour Hotel BM90 (1200m)

Several Saturday-grade horses will take a position in the Spicers Balfour Hotel field, including Irish Constabulary (barrier 1). The Flying Spur gelding has steadily built to the task this time and charged home to finish a close second behind Burning Passion in the Group 3 WJ Healy Stakes 91200m) last time out on June 24th. Counter Meal (barrier 4) ran on well to win the Rockhampton Newmarket (1300m) last time out and should again be tough to beat with only 54.5kgs in tow. Primal Flight (barrier 6) went amiss last time out, but will be right in the finish of this race should he re-find his best.

Tip: No. 1 Irish Constabulary ($3.50)

Race 7 (3:22pm) Variety – The Children’s Charity C&G Class 6 Handicap (1350m)

An open field of thirteen with contest Race 7 at Doomben on Saturday; subsequently offering punters plenty of value from a betting perspective. Cornrow (barrier 9) attacked the line for third on Ipswich Cup Day and is weighted for success in this race, with promising hoop Ruby Ride in the saddle once more. Better Land (barrier 2) improved to finish fourth in a Doomben 1350m sprint a fortnight ago and should only take more benefit into this race. Tamrookum (barrier 4) carries winning form into the race, albeit at a lesser grade, but has drawn ideally into the field and has the notable advantage of Jeff Lloyd in the saddle.

Tip: No. 9 Tamrookum – Each Way ($11/$3.60)

Race 8 (4:02pm) Kanga Couriers Fillies & Mares Class 6 Handicap (1350m)

Several quality horses have been confirmed in the final field for the Kanga Couriers Handicap, including Queen Of Wands (barrier 3). The mare failed to run on in the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic (1350m) last time out, but will enjoy a step back in class and is drawn ideally. Tap This (barrier 11) will have only her second start for John Meagher and is sure to take plenty of benefit into this race, while My Maisie (barrier 4) has not been far away in her three starts this season and will again prove tough to beat. Fleur D’Orage (barrier 17) has drawn the carpark, but she was impressive on Ipswich Cup Day and is not without a chance with only 54kgs in tow.

Tip: No. 6 Queen Of Wands – Each Way ($15/$4.70)

Race 9 (4:37pm) CMG Plaster Three-Year-Old Handicap (1350m)

There is several winning chances confirmed in the final field for Race 9 at Doomben, however the Toby Edmonds-trained Fabvier (barrier 22) is undoubtedly the horse to beat, even after drawing a horror barrier. Second in a pair of talent-rich Queensland sprinters first-up this time, the Fastnet Rock filly flew home to win the Sky Racing Plate (1400m) by two lengths last time out and will be partnered by Jeff Lloyd once more on Saturday. Nicconi Leggera (barrier 7) has shown plenty of ability, but is yet to find his best this time, while Denbern (barrier 18) is ready to peak, but has also drawn awkwardly.

Tip: No. 10 Fabvier – Each Way ($8.50/$3.40)

About The Author

Jared Timms

Jared graduated with a journalism degree in 2011. He is a keen sports fan and has enjoyed many accolades for his lively writing style and comprehensive coverage of major sporting events and horse racing. Today, you can find Jared cheering on his beloved Manchester City with a beer in hand.