I'm casting my net far and wide (well at least to Townsville anyway) as I search for a few winners to build on a couple of successful specials in the last fortnight.
MISERY (Doomben Race 3 No 1)
This guy has often raced in much better company than this (including two Stakes races this campaign) and is as honest as the day is long. Will have to lug 60kg even after Tiffani Brooker's claim but a perfect draw offsets that. Will ping the gates from near the inside to take advantage of his natural pace while several other leading chances have drawn wide. Barriers are always important around the tight Doomben track and very much so over the 1050m scamper. Misery is not a one-trick pony though and if something wants to go nuts and take him on, Brooker can sit just behind them on the rails and get an easy trip.
BET: WIN
ODDS $4.80 @ CrownBet, Ladbrokes
RHYMING (Doomben Race 6 No 5)
Reckon she was just a little bit soft late last week when she had her first run for a month but was only beaten by a horse (Care To Think) who is a very promising galloper. Rhyming will be cherry-ripe for this on the quick back-up and this looks a weaker contest than what she went around in last week. Rises to 1600m which looks ideal at this stage and it was the same distance that she was only beaten three lengths in the Group II Queensland Guineas went she went around a $100-1 pop.
BET: WIN
ODDS $4.20 @ Sportsbet (power play), Ladbrokes (odds boost)
FAB'S COWBOY (Townsville Race 7 No 2)
Unassuming bush galloper who is in good form for the Townsville Cup. Comes off an impressive Bundaberg Cup win where he romped in by more than four lengths lugging 62kg and that form should stack up considering second-placed runner Heroism raced well enough in Townsville last week. Fab's Cowboy won't know himself when he carries 56kg in the Cup, given he has lumped over 60kg in his last four starts. Has drawn favourably while a lot of potential threats have drawn wide. Good odds for an each-way gamble.
BET: EACH WAY
ODDS $17 @ UBET
CASINO THOUGHTS (Townsville Race 8 No 12)
Gee I liked his most recent run when only narrowly beaten by the impressive Tyzone in Townsville. Over-raced near the tail of the field off a muddling speed and charged late, only narrowly going down to Tyzone who is a talented animal with a metropolitan win to his name. In the Cleveland Bay, meets Tyzone no worse at the weights but has a much better barrier. There are some other hopes here but clearly Tyzone form is good form. Prepared to risk Tyzone from the carpark draw and pin our hopes on Casino Thoughts who is a better price and should get a better run. Extra also 100m looks ideal.
BET: EACH WAY
ODDS $8.50 @ UBET
