Scone’s annual stand-alone meeting will be held this Saturday. The Scone track was rated a Dead 4 on Thursday and with fine weather forecast over the next couple of days, the meeting is likely to be conducted on a Good track.
The Doomben Cup meeting will be held at Doomben on Saturday. The track was rated a Dead 4 on Thursday and with fine weather in Brisbane, the meeting will be run on a track no worse than Dead rating.
The Coffs Harbour 2YO Goodbye Kevin is the horse to beat in the Dalrello Stakes (Brisbane Race 2, 1200m). This progressive colt ran an eye-catching 3rd last start on a Heavy track in the Group 3 Ken Russell Stakes coming from a long way back & was only beaten by a quarter of a length. From a better barrier (2), Blake Shinn will settle the colt a lot closer to the lead and Goodbye Kevin is the horse they all have to catch.
Srikandi has won her last three starts and the filly can continue her winning way in the Juanmo Stakes (Brisbane Race 4, 1200m). This Melburnian filly ran a good 2nd first up over 1000m and is unbeaten since winning three successive races. She is unbeaten over 1200m winning 3 from 3. From barrier 2, champion jockey Glen Boss will take her straight to the lead and she’ll prove hard to run down.
At set weight, the class of Arabian Gold will shine through in the Doomben Roses (Brisbane Race 6, 2000m). This David Vandyke-trained filly has been in great form winning her past 2 starts at Group 3 level. Last start in the good horse race, the Frank Packer Plate (previous winners including Juggler & Might And Power), she beat the boys impressively and she looks a class above this field on Saturday. She has won 3 times from 4 starts over 2000m and from barrier 1, Shinn can give her a lovely run just behind the leaders on the fence. Arabian Gold is going to be hard to hold out.
The winner for the Group 1 Doomben Cup (Brisbane Race 7, 2000m) is likely to come from a Sydney horse and I believe that horse could well be Junoob. This English import has finally hit form this preparation winning 4 of his past 6 starts. Junoob ran a good 4th last start in the Hollindale Stakes on an unsuitable Heavy track yet he was only beaten by 1.8 lengths. Back to firmer footing in the Doomben Cup will certainly suit Junoob, so will the 2000m as he has won 5 times & placed a further 3 times over the distance. From barrier 3, Nash Rawiller will be able to give Junoob a lovely run just off the pace. Watch him let down strongly in the straight. Currently Junoob is at $6.00 in the fixed odds market and I believe he is a value bet.
By Owens Wong, Editor
