Hey all,

Interesting day today at Doomben. Obviously not the quality that we see down south, but there are some nice ones going around. Good weather up here should see a nice racing surface too.

Race 1 - Well, if this was at EF King of Trumps would be a special, after the way he finished off last time. His early speed and 'attitude' is a problem though, as was many lengths last and under lots of pressure before the turn. Having said that, i'll stick here because of the extra distance, the fact that Byrne has jumped on and that these are no world beaters. A Sir La is a decent enough horse who ran a pretty good race last time when on pace. If she can repeat that sort of run, she is a place chance. Nediym's Image isn't one i can ever get into, but i spose is a chance in this sort of race with the claim.

Race 2 - Bikkie Tin Blues will win, but you'd be mad to back him straight out. In fact, you'd be mad to back him at all. Cold Start will go nuts out in front and get a stitch at the 400m when Bikkie is circling. He'll go straight past them and the rest are fighting it out for the others placings.

Race 3 - Tough race. Ill go for Skyleda because of the way he won last time - he just went straight past them. If Byrne can get him to the outside again, i think he'll be too strong. Teletrader was a nice win last time at EF, though the time was slower than Skyleda's (and Byrne rode them both, chose Skyleda?). Having said that, he has always shown ability and from where he has been racing, the stable seem to have an opinion of him. Good chance. Eskimo Dan is the up-and-comer but the class rise is significant. I'd rather see him run a good race in town before i come into him.

Race 4 - Poor race. Stepping is the obvious pick, but i can just see her getting trapped 3 deep outside slow horses. For that reason, imma go with Amber Lodge....the perrenial non-winner. The reason being that she has undoubtedly raced in much better company than this, and she has drawn the good gate. Stepping is the 2nd pick. If she gets in to a good trail, she'll win this. But thats a big if, and so i've jumped off. Miss Information for 3rd after 2 narrow wins at the Coast. Given the wins rates of most of the horses in the race, i wouldn't be racing to back them for much at all.

Race 5 - I like Captain Biggles here. The first start was a good effort behind Stolit who has since won in town. The breeding of this horse is very good and he should continue to improve off the first run. There will be good money here for Trivo, and so i might get a good price for this bloke. Trivo won well last time, but it was at the Sunshine Coast. They have to win very well to transfer that form to metro races. Mellifluous coming back in journey and with the addition of blinkers may help. The run 2 back at Doomben was great and a return to that would see him competitive.

Race 6 - 1000 seems to be as far as Fleeting Echo wants to go (at least on paper). Given that this is 1000m and he gets in under th min with Price's claim, i think he should win. The effort at EF last time was great and with the alley here, a repeat effort is on the cards. You won't get odds, but i'd say you'll get a return. So Chic is ready to improve today at odds, i think. Although she was given every chance to win last time (with the hot speed in the race), the effort was OK and this is an easier assignment. Cielo Gold ran well at Ippy last time and deserves a chance in town. This isn't the strongest field, so she shouldn't be discounted.

Race 7 - Good race. I think its a race in 2. Rasmussen and Noble Gaze. Given that we really haven't seen Rasmussen tested, i've settled on him. Around Doomben he really should get a kick off the turn and prove too speedy for them. Although there is some talk that the extra 150m is a problem, i can't see it. The 1350m at Doomben isn't the hardest task going around and speedsters can get it (Babinda Half a while back). Noble Gaze, as Crash said, has run better times recently, but Rasmussen still has improvement in him. Any significant improvement should see him past Noble Gaze. Having said that, Noble Gaze has the runs on the board and those good times have been over the 1350m journey. He is a clear 2nd pick and a major danger to Rasmussen if he hasn't improved. Maybe Imperialism for 3rd, after a couple of runs after a break. He will be coming home at the death for a placing.

Race 8 - The 2 scratchings have taken some of the appeal out of this race (given that they were my 2 top selections ). Maybe Spur Me On can overcome the weight and win. He is the speed in the race, and if he can get a kick on the turn and put a gap in them, he might be able to hold on. Socialist will get back and be running home strongly, but EF is his track and he may not get enough room here. Sweet Ransom was a good effort behind Rasmussen last time and will appreciate the easier field here.

Good luck everyone

Sven