There’s been plenty said about the current situation of racing in Brisbane, I don’t need to add anymore. Keen to get on with playing the cards that are dealt, and today is a ripping card of racing at Doomben for the QLD Oaks. Track is rated a Good 4, with the rail +5m the entire circuit. With the Doomben ground staff unaware they where holding a race meeting until 5 days ago, it’s crucial to watch the pattern of the track early and adjust as needed. I’m value hunting today, with a lot of last start Heavy track form prominent, I think there’s some value to be found.

 

BEST WIN: Race 7 Number 2 EGG TART $3.30 bet now

BEST EACH WAY: Race 6 Number 8 THE VIRGINIAN $6 bet now

BEST ROUGHIE: Race 8 Number 10 FRILL SEEKING $21 bet now

 

Race 1

4 SNITZPEG on top here for DK Weir & Johnny Allen. This colt brings some solid southern form here against a well exposed bunch of local 2 year olds. 11 ITALIA BELLA was a nice effort last start behind Tangled, she looks the pick of the local hopes. Gets the winkers on first time here and is a major player in this. 9 CABIN FEVER has a tricky gate, but looks like a filly that will relish the 1350m and is a blowout chance from the back of the field. 1 PARDOE next best, his win may have been flattered on a heavy track last time, but is obviously racing well and H Bowman going on is no negative.

 

Suggested Bet: Small investment here, with an eye on how the track plays. Playing an Exacta & Trifecta 1,4,9,11 / 1,4,9,11 / F

 

Numbers: 4 – 11 – 9 – 1

 

Race 2

Difficult race to dissect here for the 2 year old fillies. 4 CELLAGIRL resumes here after a Magic Millions campaign chasing home Houtzen her last 2 starts. She has trialled up well in preparation for this and has drawn well in gate 3. With her main local rivals coming here off Heavy track runs, she is the fresh horse on the scene and can figure prominently here. 6 SKATE TO PARIS has the race shot to bits last time before being run down late by Pardoe (who goes around in Race 1). She gets back onto a firmer surface here, draws well and is a leading chance again. 15 PRETTY FAST was ok last time when first up at Scone for the Snowden camp. There was no money for her that day, but ran well enough to suggest she’s an improver. She’s ben well found in the market and I won’t be diving in at the current quote of $4.20.

 

Suggested Bet: Each Way 4 CELLARGIRL $5.50 bet now

 

Numbers: 4 – 6 – 15 – 1

 

Race 3

Young QLD trainer Ben Currie has is horses absolutely flying, no QLD trainer is going better and he has won a race at each of the last 4 carnival days. 11 GULLY COMMAND represents the Currie yard here at a big price, and can at least run a place. I expect 9 DOUBLE IMPACT to lead here with the favourite 1 HIGH MIDNIGHT sliding across outside the leader with 8 ALLKNIGHT SAINT potentially pushing forward and 11 GULLY COMMAND getting the box seat. 1 HIGH MIDNIGHT is the horse to beat, he split Jungle Edge & Ulmann first up, just a little query being second up off a Heavy track run, but he his record second up is super, with 3 wins & 1 second from 4 goes. 2 MAN OF HIS WORD is a very talented galloper, also second up to the mile off a heavy track run which is the query. If his at his best, he is going to be hard to beat. 13 PAYROLL maps to get a nice run, but, the honest PAYROLL is hard to catch.

 

Suggested Bet: Going to play for the value 1 x 3 Each Way 11 GULLY COMMAND $15 bet now

 

Numbers 11 – 1 – 2 – 12

 

Race 4

A disappointing 5 horse Group 2 race and a no bet race for me. 5 SINGLE GAZE will likely lead on a soft tempo. I don’t necessarily think that means it just leads and wins. If the race is run at a soft tempo, it will ensure each horse can produce its fastest possible last 600m, which leaves it wide open. If I had to lean to a selection it would be 1 PREFERMENT. I think Hughie can potentially soften up SINGLE GAZE a little from the 800m, and out tough her to the line.

 

Suggested Bet: No bet race for me. 1 PREFERMENT if wanting to have a WIN bet $3.60 bet now

 

Numbers: 1 – 5 – 3 – 2

 

Race 5

The LIGHTNING handicap has no shortage of speed engaged here with a few noted speedsters looking likely to let rip here. A couple at a big price have caught my eye. 9 HIGHLY GEARED was very tough last start, racing on a good speed and just kept giving when second to The Virginian. She was the best of the on pace runners that day, and with a touch of luck early here can slot into a trailing position 1 off the fence and will be in the finish at around $14. 7 SIR STRATHAM was an eye-catching run when a late closing 4th last time in the same race as HIGHLY GEARED. Drawn wide here but will drift back and again be charging late. The horse to beat is 5 PROMPT RETURN. Won very well first up on a dry track, then didn’t handle the Heavy track last time. Draws to get the run of the race here and will be very hard to beat.

 

Suggested Bet: 2 small WIN BETS 7 SIR STRATHAM & 9 HIGHLY GEARED with a small Box EXACTA 5,7,9

 

Numbers 9 – 7 – 5 – 14

 

Race 6

8 THE VIRGINIAN is on a Stradbroke path, and no reason why he can’t win again here. His trial was fair and looked like he had a bit left in the tank when parading before his first up run. The win was quiet something considering, strips fitter here and will be hard to hold out. His drawn well and looks a horse on the up. 10 DEPLOY raced through his classes last prep, the resumed with a slashing second last start. Tricky gate to contend with here, with any luck can be winning here. 11 ATTENTION is a 3 year old who brings Group 1 Autumn form to QLD. Wasn’t far away when caught wide last time when first up at the Gold coast. With no weight here, expect Kathy O’Hara to push forward and expect it to be prominent throughout. 6 SPLURGE should improve after a forgive run last time on the Heavy track. The others are well exposed and while they have performed well in the past, there are no stars amongst them and I think the above mentioned are going on to better things.

 

Suggested Bet: Each Way 8 THE VIRGINIAN $6 bet now

 

Numbers: 8 – 10 – 11 – 6

 

Race 7

2 EGG TART on top for me here. She’s a very good filly, and I think she can stamp herself a genuine star of the future here. 1 KENEDNA, 3 DAWN WALL, 4 ANA ROYALE, 6 OKLAHOMA GIRL all look to have a chance for the minor money. Making 2 EGG TART the BEST WIN BET of the day.

 

Suggested Bet: WIN 2 EGG TART $3.30 bet now

 

Numbers: 2 – 3 – 1 – 4

 

Race 8

8 BONNY O”REILLY is the horse to beat, but has come up short enough here, so again looking for value. 10 FRILL SEEKING is the one I’m keen on here at $21 & $5.50 She has been savaging the line in 2 runs from a spell and looks ready to produce her best here. D Oliver should be able to give her a nice quiet run mid field off a good tempo, and she will be hitting the line hard. 5 KINSACHI looks suited back to 1200m and will race on speed.

 

Suggested Bet: 2 x 3 Each Way 10 FRILL SEEKING $21 bet now

 

Numbers: 10 – 8 – 5 – 13

Good luck and happy punting!!!