Doomben hosts a 9-race card on Saturday with the Doomben 10000 being the feature race of the day with some big names returning to the track. The first race commences at 11:48pm AEST and the last concludes at 4:38pm AEST. The rail is in its true position and selections are for a Soft track with some showers predicted leading into Saturday which could see it being run on a heavy. Watch and monitor.
Also be sure to head over to our Racing Tips page for more free tips from the key meetings around the country this Saturday!
Doomben Racing Tips: Saturday, May 18th 2024
Race 2: The Star BM78 1350m– 12:23pm (AEST)
(9) Weigall Tiger $2.80: promising 3YO who returned in good order LS when he was held-up for large portions of the straight before finally seeing clear air when it was all over (hit the line nicely / best L200m split of the race). He drops back to BM78 grade today but doesn’t get penalised at the weights after the claim for in form apprentice CJ Graham. I think the slight rise in trip from 1300m to 1350m is a positive, he draws a good gate to settle handy to the speed, has a good rapport with the jockey, 2 weeks between runs, has won on a SOFT track previously, and has been scratched from race 3 to run here. If he can take any sort of improvement from his first-up effort, he’s very hard to beat.
(2) Sunfall $9.00/$2.90: 35YO who has excellent stats over this track and distance. Gets an elite booking of Nash Rawiller who comes up to ride. He has wet form and can play a key role here, but will need to lug some weight. Fitter now and will be around the mark.
(9) Weigall Tiger
$2.80 (3 Units)
Race 5: Sky Racing Members Hcp 1600m - 2:08pm (AEST)
(4) Territory Express $3.10: the market has it as a race in two, but I’m happy his way. He arguably should be 3 from 3 this prep and is absolutely airborne. It was a sizzling return over 1400m first-up at Kembla Grange when he really knuckled down inside the final 100m to get up and win (best L200m split of the entire meeting). He then went to 1500m second-up in the G2 Ajax Stakes and beat all-bar DEMOCRACY MANIFEST after being held-up at a key stage / got bumped when trying to extricate (good gap to third / arguably should’ve won). DEMOCRACY MANIFEST and DETONATOR JACK have subsequently gone on to run very well in the G1 Doncaster Mile beaten less than 3L (good form!). He had a month between runs before his LS where he went back to 1400m, gave them all a head-start, and still stormed over the top to beat STRAIT ACER et al up the inside (good gaps behind again). They repeat the dose today as he returns after a month-long freshen, stays at 1400m, and he handles the cut out of the ground. The clear knock on him is his racing style as he likes to get back in the run. If there’s a savage leader / on-fence bias, then his chances significantly diminish (monitor if possible). Draws gate 2 for the in-form Robbie Dolan and gets in OK at the weights. He’ll be launching late!
(11) Gringotts $2.30:4YO who has a terrific record and has started this prep with two wins. Jamie KAH in the saddle who is arguably in career best form. Must be respected third up and over the mile.
(4) Territory Express
$3.10 (3 Units)
Race 7: Magic Millions Bright Shadow 1110m 3:22pm (AEST)
(5) Chinny Boon $5.50/$2.20: best value bet of the day! She was heavily backed two starts ago and proved to be too good for OUTWEIGHED and co over 1100m at the Gold Coast with big gaps in behind. She went to 1200m LS and was forced to work early from a wide gate when she was caught 3WNC and pressed on to sit OSL the entirety. She battled on gamely to run third behind NED’S GULLY (since ran second to OVIDIUS) and MISHANI SNIPER (since ran third to NAMAZU in The Archer Stakes). If we go back to the end of last year she ran second to LADY LAGUNA over 1200m at Doomben and beat home key rival PARISAL when she was running away from her on the line (I concede it did look like an end of prep run for PARISAL who was subsequently spelled). She meets PARISAL 3.5kgs better at the weights off that run, gets in with 54kgs on her back, draws the pole, has had a month between runs, has a good record on soft tracks, and will roll forward from the gate. I think they should be closer in the market.
(16) Russian Alliance $46/$10.00: 3YO filly who has won 5 from 9 career starts. Her best form is good enough to figure here, but would prefer a dry track to be betting. Peaks third up and gets a top jockey in the saddle. Worth a sneaky small play or exotic play. If the track dries up id be more keen.
(5) Chinny Boon E/W
$5.50/$2.20 (1U/2U)
Race 8: Doomben 10000 1200m 4:02pm (AEST)
(5) Bella Nipotina $7.50/$2.10: best each-way bet of the day! She’s such a genuine mare who seldom runs poorly and I think she’s a great chance of winning. She was well supported ($7>$5 in betting) three back in the G1 William Reid before racing 3WNC to the 600m mark and then battling to the line behind IMPERATRIZ. She then went to the G1 TJ Smith and sat up OSL the entirety (had no peace) before running second to CHAIN OF LIGHTNING (beat home I WISH I WIN who sat 3WWC and couldn’t get past her / ESPIONA the unlucky runner out of the race). They took her over to The Quokka LS and she again had no luck being forced to race 3WNC throughout yet she kept kicking and was only beaten by 1.4L behind OVERPASS who’s a genuine G1 horse (also struck interference inside the final 100m and pulled up with a minor injury / forgive). She’s had a month between runs, draws an ideal gate for Willow to camp right behind the leaders, handles any track, and will likely have a head start on I WISH I WIN and ESPIONA. The current $2 quote being shopped about I WISH I WIN looks well under the odds to me. She should give us a sight.
(7) Espiona $6.50: 5YO mare that I’ve been bullish on all prep and she hasn’t had all that much luck. She is deserving a win. May get too far back from the wide draw and if the track remains wet it’ll require too much work again. If she jumps and gets up on the pace she is a great shout again to win. Must be in the exotics.
(5) Bella Nipotina E/W
$7.50/$2.10 (1 Unit)
