The Group 1 Queensland Oaks meeting set for Eagle Farm has been shifted to Doomben this week. We have an eight race card to get through with the track currently rated a Good 4.
We have betting tips and comments for every race below!
Doomben Racing Tips for Saturday, 3rd of June
Race 1
All the early money has been for SNITZEPEG here ($3.60-$2.80) and it's easy to see why. He comes off a 4th placing in Group 2 company in Adelaide last start and was only beaten a length. He'll find this an easier race and no surprises to see him win. I'll be with PARDOE though who has done nothing wrong this prep and won well again for us last start. He actually ran a quicker time on the Heavy 8 last start than what Snitzepeg did when winning on a Soft 6 two starts ago. The key today, however, is Hugh Bowman jumps aboard and he draws very well in barrier 6 so he should be able to find a spot up on the pace. If Snitzepeg goes back from the wide draw, he'll have a few lengths to make up on Pardoe on a track that may suit front runners early. ITALIA BELLA the other to consider.
Tip: Pardoe
Race 2
Prepared to put a line through the run of SHE'S OUR STAR first up when she may not have handled the wet track. If you look to her form behind that you'll see she won on debut before running 3rd behind Houtzen and Garrard, two very smart horses. She was met with support first up which tells me she is showing the right signs so back onto a firmer track should help her here. Draws the rail so should be right up on the speed and will be in it for a long way. $8.50 is a good each way price. BLACK MINK bolted in on the heavy track first up at Eagle Farm. Much different surface here and an extra 200m but the win was impressive and she could measure up. I'm terrified of the Snowden trained PRETTY FAST especially with Hugh Bowman on board. That combination is always lethal but I'm just not confident enough on her chances given her debut was a 3rd placing in a Wyong maiden. CELLARGIRL another that can feature.
Tip: She's Our Star EW (Best Value)
Race 3
Very keen on HIGH MIDNIGHT here who ran 2nd to Jungle Edge first up on the heavy track in Group 2 company. Jungle Edge then went on to run 2nd in the Group 1 at his next start so the form is strong. High Midnight has won four times on a Good track so getting back onto a firmer surface could see him improve, and the key is him coming into this second up from a spell. He's won three times from four starts when second up, and finished runner up at the other. Draws wide but hard to beat nonetheless. GULLY COMMAND won well last start and has a great record at the track and distance so he could be the value at double figure odds. MAN OF HIS WORD also better suited on the firm track.
Tip: High Midnight
Race 4
Very small field that lacks depth here for a Group 2. PREFERMENT goes on top. Waller was very bullish that he was back to his best leading into his first up run, and the run was very good considering he normally takes a run to come good. He finished 4th beaten 2 lengths behind It's Somewhat and although Single Gaze also beat him by about 2L, I think he can turn the tables here. He steps up to 2200m which will suit him better than the 1800m, and his second up record is significantly better than his first up record. He's won twice second up from six starts, while he's never placed from seven first up runs. Draws to land in the box seat, Bowman rides and the firm track is ideal. SINGLE GAZE on the other hand lines up for her seventh start this prep and comes off a hard run in Group 1 company on a heavy track. Prepared to take her on and I'll take the $3.75 on offer for Preferment.
Tip: Preferment (Best Bet)
Race 5
Good competitive race here with a number of genuine chances. SNITTY KITTY has been in good form in Melbourne and carried that over to Scone last start when she was caught 3 wide the trip and still stuck on to run 2nd. The winner of that race then came out and ran 4th in Group 3 company last start so the form is reasonable. I just think this distance suits Snitty Kitty better than most others and with barrier 5 she maps to get the perfect run. PROMPT RETURN can bounce back on a firm track with the inside gate, as can HIDDEN PEARL who ran 2nd to Prompt Response two starts ago. INVINCIBLE EXPRESS should improve back onto a firm track and will go forward from the wide draw. Should be in it for a long way. Happy to take $5 for Snitty Kitty for a strong each way bet.
Tip: Snitty Kitty
Race 6
Great race and probably the most competitive on the card. I can make a genuine case for about six horses here but I'm prepared to settle on THE VIRGINIAN who returned with a great win first up last start. This horse ran 3rd in last year's Stradbroke Handicap behind Under The Louvre and Black Heart Bart, before having problems last prep. He had a procedure done in his spell and looks to have returned to his best form. I think he'll improve again here back onto the firmer track and up to 1200m. Draws well but he'll need luck as he will get back in the field. Currently $6. DEPLOY resumed with a good run at Scone and with just 53kg can win this. Needs a good ride from the wide barrier but they'll go forward and if they can find a position up front without working too much early then he'll be there for a long way. DOTHRAKI ran 3rd in the same race as Deploy last start and is better suited here. Down in weight, second up, and has won a trial leading into this. Bowman takes the ride and he has a strong winning chance around the $7 mark. ATTENTION another winning chance, while SPLURGE gets a gear change after failing horribly at his first Australian start. Definitely don't discount.
Tip: The Virginian
Race 7
Happy to stick with EGG TART here in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks after her stunning victory in the Group 1 SA Oaks last start. The ride from Kerrin McEvoy to get her home last start was freakish - she settled last and was still well back coming around the turn but she weaved her way between runners and stormed home to get there on the line. I think she's the one to beat but will need another good ride from barrier 10. DAWN WALL could be her biggest threat and is definitely the value in the race, although she draws terribly in barrier 16. She has the class to win this and if you put a line through her run on the heavy track two starts ago her form looks very good for this. I expect they will go forward from the wide barrier and if she's got a few lengths on the other fancies coming around the turn she will be hard to run down. KENEDNA is honest and continues to run well. She only got nosed out by Egg Tart last start but she also draws poorly here, one barrier to the outside of Egg Tart. ANA ROYALE drops from 2500m to 2200m. She's got the class but I think she prefers longer than this.
Tip: Egg Tart / Dawn Wall EW
Race 8
Pretty keen on BONNY O'REILLY here, just like every other punter in Australia judging by the money for her. She's won both starts this prep to tkae her record to six wins from eight starts. Although she doesn't win by much, she knows where the winning post is and always gets there when it matters. She can box seat from the good draw and she'll be suited by this track I think. The value in the race could be BIDII BABE. She was well supported first up when finishing 4th, and then broke through last start. She's undefeated second up from a spell and has a good record over the track and distance. SELITA is another that can improve. She finished 5th, beaten 1L first up from a long spell. Should improve here.
Tip: Bonny O'Reilly / Bidii Babe EW
Take note: Any of the tips in this article are simply the author’s opinion, so bet at your own risk and always gamble responsibly. Also be sure to check out the Before You Bet Twitter Page for all our thoughts in the lead up to bets! Happy punting!
