A good day’s racing at Doomben will be rounded out by the Group 3 BRC Sprint. Another race that contains a capacity field and as you’d expect, is a wide open with a lot of the runners backing up from last fortnight’s Prime Minister Cup including the winner of that race Famous Seamus. Early favourite is Ready To Rip ($6.00) just in advance of Famous Seamus and Mahisara at $6.00 each.

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1. HOT SNITZEL – M Cahill (12)

Relished the soft ground two starts back to score an impressive 2 ¼ length win in the G3 Sebring Stakes before settling handy but struggling to finish the race off under the 59.5kgs in the Prime Minister’s Cup (1300m). Again been allocated a big weight (59kgs) and has drawn awkwardly in 12.

2. FAMOUS SEAMUS – G Colless (3)

Colless has combined with this 4yo to score on him in each of his most recent outings. He won the Listed Hinkler Quality (1200m) at Eagle Farm and than ridden a treat to score in the Prime Minister’s Cup (1300m) on the Gold Coast a fortnight ago, where he got every chance in the run.   Envisage him getting a sweet run again from gate 3 and would have to be included.

3. READY TO RIP – L Nolen (16)

Resumed in the Listed Bob Hoysted and ran second to Isabella Snowflake, whom he gave 6kgs to, before getting the bob in over stable-mate Club Command in the Listed Thoroughbred Club Cup (1200m). He then settled handy to speed but found Buffering and co. to smart in the G2 Victory Stakes at his most recent start. Better suited back to the conditions of this race but the gate is of concern.

4. RIVER LAD – E Wilkinson (4)

He has been in good form since returning from a spell in February this year and has only missed a place once in five starts, winning two including the Listed Bribie Handicap (1200m). Nice run in transit in the Prime Minister’s Cup but the winner’s run was sweeter still and he finished a neck second. On that run and recent form, he’s a definite chance from a good draw again and represents great each-way value at $15.00

5. PHELAN READY – D Browne (10)

Unbelievably, this 6yo hasn’t won a race since winning the Golden Slipper in 2009 and that’ not to say he’s out of form. He’s been G1 and G3 placed along with numerous times at Listed level in his starts since. He resumed in the Prime Minister’s Cup and from the tail of the field, as he so often does, flashed home to finish within two lengths of the winner Famous Seamus. Would be more confident if there were at Eagle Farm however, will no doubt be running on again and has to be given a legitimate place chance.

6. SEE THE WORLD –         (7)

Back-maker from the Jo Pride stable who was impressive in winning the Listed McCarten Stakes three starts back and, as his racing pattern dictates, didn’t have much luck in his next two starts when finishing third in both the G3 Sebring Stakes and Listed Hall Mark Stakes. Distance should suit and any sting out of the ground would further enhance his already good chances.

7. STARTSMEUP – R McMahon (20)

Well performed sprinter who resumed in the G2 Victory Stakes but was ran of his feet early and was only warming to the task late when fifth (4.9 lengths) behind Buffering. He has a very good second up record, most efforts in Black Type races but will need his fair share of luck from the second to widest draw.

8. FONTELINA –       (14) – SCRATCHED

9. GREEN BIRDIE – M Walker (17)

A rising 10yo Catbird gelding who lines up here at his second run back from a spell, for his forty-ninth career start. First up, from a wide draw he got a back and never threatened the winners of the Listed Hinkler Quality. Drawn wide again a win would surprise.

10. SMOKIN JOEY – L Cassidy (11)

Mick Price trained 5yo who had little luck when second up from a spell, finished in good style to run second to Hot Snitzel in the G3 Sebring Stakes. He was out of his depth at his next and most recent start in the WFA All Aged Stakes and finished last, near five lengths behind All Too Hard. Much better suited back to this grade and on his Sebring run is a genuine chance.

11. BELLTONE – C Munce (6)

He returned from a 21 week spell with a pleasing finishing effort in the Prime Minster’s Cup on the Gold Coast a fortnight ago. Camped at the tail of the field he was warming up nicely at the end of the 1200m and today’s trip and track, where he’s won three from six, suits perfectly second up. Ran second in the QTC Cup second last prep and he’s one of the better chances.

12. STEEL ZIP – B Stewart (13)

Made very good ground late when resuming from a nine week break and finished 1.6 lengths behind River Lad in the Bribie Handicap at the end of March. He was then given five weeks off and returned in the Prime Minister’s Cup where he settled three back the fence, behind eventual winner Famous Seamus. He had his opportunity in the straight to do more than he did last start and think he’d need to lift on that run.

13. JUSTANEXCUSE – L Innes (2)

Another of the New Zealand contingent who have come across and this gelding has won ten from forty-eight at home. The last of those wins coming in April of last year at Tearoh in Open Company. Made good ground last start in Open company at Terapa and appears to save his best for the wet tracks.

14. LISTEN SON – M Rodd (1)

Front running gelding trained by Tony Gollan who has drawn perfectly in one. He resumed in the Victory Stakes and after trying to in the first half of the race, couldn’t match Buffering in the run home and finished fourth (beaten 4.7 lengths). Surprisingly, given his racing style, he’s never won at Doomben in ten starts.

15. MORNING CAPTAIN – J Byrne (15)

After several consistent efforts, he finally broke through for a win at Eagle Farm in Open company back in January, defeating Dusty Gold. He was then given a break and returned to racing in the Prime Minister’s Cup. He draw there as he has done so today – wide, but was doing his best work late and finished two lengths from Famous Seamus. Honest horse who, if Byrne give the opportunity to from a poor draw, will be competitive.

16. FIRE UP FIFI – R Wiggins (5)

Returned to racing after an eye-catching effort behind Black Magic in the Juanmo Stakes and further enhanced her chances here when again, steaming home to run third (beaten ½ length) in the Prime Minister’s Cup. On those two efforts and her stats at this track/trip, she’d have to go in as one of the top selections.

17. MAHISARA – J Cassidy (18)

4yo trained by Paul Messara who has been well supported at each of his three runs back this preparation but yet to salute the judge. He went out to lead the field at a very strong clip in the Prime Minister’s Cup last start and given the tempo set, he did very well to hold on for fourth (beaten 1 ¼ lengths). Will no doubt go forward by will have plenty to do from a wide gate with speed drawn inside him.

18. LATIN NEWS –        (21)

A 6yo who hasn’t won a race since claiming the Listed Gosford Guineas back in April of 2010. He has ran well on a number of times in his twenty-seven subsequent starts and placed in Listed and Group races however, just can’t crack it for his third win. He was only fair in both the Hinkler Quality and Prime Minister’s Cup at his two runs back from a spell and a win here, from the widest gate, would surprise.

19. KING SAUL – S Baster (9)

Western Australian galloper now with Queensland Trainer Kelly Schweida but judging by the two performances he’s put in for his new trainer, a thirteenth in the Hinkler Quality and second to last in the Prime Minister’s Cup, he won’t be winning here.

20. WAR ENDS –         (8)

Sat on the speed and lasted when winning a Doomben Open class race to runs back over Skating On Ice and only just failed to repeat the performance when second to Tokamak on a Slow track, again at Doomben, early last month. Going well but needs an easier grade than this.

21. MEET GEORGE –      (19)

Put together a very good campaign last time in and returned to racing in the Hinkler Quality after a nine months off. Good effort first up and will probably land a decent race this campaign but don’t think this one will be it.

OVERVIEW

Mahisara will have to show plenty of speed early from his wide gate to cross and join Listen Son who will not surrender the lead easy. As he has done so at his past two starts, Famous Seamus should again get a sweet run camped off a good speed and be right in the finish. Same applies to River Lad who went around the leader’s last start whilst Famous Seamus got the run. He can easily turn the tables here and surprised, off the back of that effort, to see him posted more than twice the price of Famous Seamus. Belltone needed the first up run and gets back to his favourite track and trip and both Trainer and Jockey combine with regular success.