The Brisbane Racing Club will sign off on 2023 this Saturday at Doomben with the Magic Millions Prelude Raceday.
With Magic Millions just two weeks away, this meeting plays an important role with three wild cards to the $14 million Gold Coast Raceday up for grabs.
The Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate is the highlight on Saturday’s card and is ably supported by the Listed Nudgee Stakes, The Shootout and The Buffering.
We’ve provided our top selections for each of the ten races below.
BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (1110 METRES) – 1:13 AEDT
Boom Torque resumes here looking to keep his unbeaten record with Matt Dunn intact.
The four-year-old gelding was last seen in September circling the field before charging to the line to win by a length over 1200m here with 60kg on his back.
He races particularly well at Doomben with two wins and a half-length second from three starts over this course and distance.
Queensland’s leading jockey Jimmy Orman has been booked to ride and is undefeated in three rides on the horse.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Boom Torque
QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap (1200 METRES) – 1:48pm AEDT
Wolfgang comes to Queensland looking to cement his place in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
The Exceed And Excel colt currently sits 23rd in the order of entry thanks to his dominant win over 1000m on a rain affected Morphettville.
He went straight to the front and was never tested, racing away for a 1.8 length win.
Blake Shinn is a key booking, and the star hoop should be able to control proceedings after exiting barrier 2.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Wolfgang
BENCHMARK 85 Handicap (1615 METRES) – 2:23pm AEDT
Eaglemont has been freshened after running on strongly to finish second by a nose over 2000m at Rosehill four weeks ago.
The Matt Dunn-trained seven-year-old gelding has been racing in terrific form and won over a mile at Eagle Farm three starts ago.
Despite carrying 61kg, he stormed home to easily win by 1.3 lengths.
In a telling move, Dunn has booked Blake Shinn to take the ride who should be able to give him an economical run from an inside gate.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Eaglemont
BENCHMARK 90 Handicap (1050 METRES) – 2:58pm AEDT
Hardware Lane has hardly put a hoof wrong since joining the John Smerdon stable.
The son of Scissor Kick comes to town for the first time but deserves his shot given the impressive fashion he’s been winning at the provincials.
Last start at Ipswich he looked to be in trouble held up behind the leaders, but he got clear to savage the line in the final 100m for a half-length win.
There looks to be good speed in the race which should see Ryan Maloney settle just off the pace before launching late.
Suggested Bet: No. 6 Hardware Lane
BENCHMARK 75 Handicap (1350 METRES) – 3:33pm AEDT
Midnight In Tokyo is rock hard fit and flying for Annabel Neasham.
The four-year-old mare found the front in The Gateway last start but was run down by Dream Hour.
Three starts back, she proved too classy when winning over 1200m here in a stronger race than this.
She looks well placed in this field with the 2kg claim for Bailey Wheeler an added bonus.
Suggested Bet: No. 4 Midnight In Tokyo
SHOOT OUT (2020 METRES) – 4:12pm AEDT
Princess Rhaenys doesn’t win out of turn but gets her best opportunity to claim another victory here.
The Tony Gollan-trained mare got a long way back over 1810m at Eagle Farm last start before finishing off strongly for a neck second.
She drops back in trip but I think that is a positive with her at peak fitness.
With Ben Thompson in the saddle, she will carry just 52kg which will come in handy with her powerful finish.
Suggested Bet: No. 11 Princess Rhaenys
GROUP 3 VO ROGUE PLATE (1350 METRES) – 4:52pm AEDT
Show Me Mercy returned in great order in the Listed Gold Edition Plate last start.
The Stu Kendrick-trained Astern gelding caught the eye charging to the line in the 1200m contest to finish a head third to Abounding.
That was his third win from five starts and he’ll only have taken improvement from the run.
The rise to 1350m looks ideal second-up and he maps to get a beautiful run for Michael Rodd.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Show Me Mercy
LISTED NUDGEE STAKES (1200 METRES) – 5:32pm AEDT
Comrade Rosa returns from a let up and is set to pick up where she left off.
Tony Gollan’s quality mare was last seen easily winning the Listed Tatts Classic over this course and distance.
That was four weeks ago and she has had a tick over trial where she was charging through the line.
As was the case last start, she is extremely well placed under the set weight conditions of the race.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Comrade Rosa
THE BUFFERING (1350 METRES) – 6:12pm AEDT
Tamerlane has been freshened following his close fourth in the Group 2 Damien Oliver at Flemington.
The Godolphin galloper tuned up for this with an excellent piece of work where he led all the way to comfortably win a Rosehill trial.
He races well fresh and loves this distance.
Blake Shinn takes the ride and should be able to give him a lovely steer on speed from barrier 3.
Suggested Bet: No. 4 Tamerlane
Class 6 Handicap (1200 METRES) – 6:52pm AEDT
Hatchet resumes here following a 19-week break and looks primed for a bold showing first-up.
The Rob Heathcote-trained gelding worked to the line stylishly to win a recent trial that included Comrade Rosa.
He has a terrific record over this course and distance of four wins and three seconds from eight starts with one of those victories coming when kicking off a preparation last year.
Michael Rodd takes the ride and should be able to settle his mount is a prominent position.
Suggested Bet: No. 6 Hatchet
