A happy (belated) birthday to all the horses and let's hope we can join in the celebrations with a few Queensland winners at the start of a new racing season.
TAP THIS (Doomben Race 5 No 10)
Best roughie at Doomben all day. This grey mare has been putting her heart and soul into her work recently but has been racing over sprint distances where she has just found others too sharp. Was closer than expected last time at the Sunshine Coast and over-raced early, and raced ungenerously at times, yet kept coming in a sign she was looking for further than the 1400m that day. Gets to 1615m here, draws a nice gate and there will be decent speed from Sheiswhatsheis which will give those back in the field their chance. Prepared to risk both favourites – thought Sheiswhatsheis was just OK last time while Pindan Pearl is racing well but finds it hard to win. Have thought for a while that this former Snowden galloper would win at good odds somewhere and this could be the race.
BET: EACH WAY
ODDS $31 @ Bet365
MISHANI SLEUTH (Doomben Race 7 No 4)
Now that Care To Think has ventured south, this Chris Anderson gelding strikes a race that he should really be winning. Blew them away in a midweeker at Doomben two starts ago when he unleashed a powerful finishing burst which really had to be seen to be believed. Then struck a couple of promising types last week but acquitted himself well in finishing third after a wide run. You can look at all the facts and figures and delve into whatever you want – but quite simply I think he is better than these and will win. Enough said.
BET: WIN
ODDS $3.30 @ Ladbrokes (oods boost)
CHARLIE BOY (Doomben Race 9 No 1)
If you forget the fact his name is Charlie Boy, gee he looks like a nice bet here! Charlie Boy has long been renowned as a bit of a non-winner but that was mostly in highly competitive elite races down south. It's much easier up here in Brisbane and the old boy showed he still had a zest for racing when he produced a terrific first-up performance for Tony Gollan. Before that race Gollan indicated he may not have had the gelding quite 100percent fit and he would be a big improver second-up. Looked to have peaked late on resuming and there is absolutely no doubt he will be fitter for this. Draws perfectly and am backing the claiming apprentice to encourage another win out of this old stager.
BET: WIN
ODDS $7.50 @ Bet365
