Punters are hoping Queensland champion Buffering can register his first home-state Group 1 win this weekend and have made him favourite in early markets for Saturday’s G1 Doomben 10,000. He went agonisingly close to claiming this race in 2012 with a head second to Sea Siren and ran third last year to Epaulette, jumping from wide gate on both occasions. He’s drawn only marginally better for this year’s edition in gate eight but looks to be the likely leader in the race and from that position will be very hard to run down. The super consistent Spirit Of Boom is $5.40 and on the third line of betting with Sydney visitor Rebel Dane challenging for favouritism at $4.40. The only other runners quote in single figures are Famous Seamus and Knoydart at $9.00 each of two.
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1. BUFFERING – D Browne (8)
Has been typically honest in three starts this campaign. He finished third behind the smart pair of Lankan Rupee and Rebel Dane in the G1 TJ Smith (1200m) and third again at his most recent start, the G1 BTC Cup. He started the BTC Cup as the 8/11 on favourite and had his chance with a good run during the race from barrier 3 but, he couldn’t withstand the late finishing bursts of Famous Seamus (1st) and Spirit of Boom (2nd) and finished 1 ¼ lengths away. Will shoot over from a wider draw and give them something to chase down.
2. SPIRIT OF BOOM – M Rodd (2)
The 6yo stallion has been in sensational form this campaign and over the last twelve months for that matter. Two wins and seven placings from his last ten starts – all at G1 and G2 level, is impeccable and judging by his last start second in the BTC Cup, he’ll enhance that record in at least some shape here. From last in a race and on a track that wasn’t open to such a pattern, he flashed home to run second by ½ a length to Famous Seamus in the BTC Cup (1200m). The step up to 1350m and a more genuine tempo look ideal and he’ll be extremely hard to beat.
3. TEMPLE OF BOOM – T Harrison (4)
He was struggling to produce his best in three runs back this campaign but a return to his home-state of QLD, and drier surfaces, seemed to have breathed new life into the 7yo. As a 40/1 shot he surprised all by sitting wide and fighting on well to win the G2 Victory Stakes two starts back and has since produced another good effort, finishing fourth (1.4 lengths) to Famous Seamus in the G1 BTC Cup. Drawn to get a lovely run here from four and should be in a position to strike as they turn. Going in his past two runs, has to rate a place chance.
4. REBEL DANE – G Boss (10)
Took on Lankan Rupee and a heavy track first up from a spell back in April and ran a tremendous second, finishing within two lengths of the winner. That effort saw him start a short priced favourite to go one better in the G1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) a fortnight later. Swinging for home, the son of Californian Dane looked set to do the right thing by punters as he was travelling well behind leaders before easing out however, there was no ping in his sprint and he only battled home for fifth (3.3 lengths) behind Hana’s Goal. He’s a better horse that that and given time to freshen up since that run a month ago. Although drawn poorly out in ten, at his best he has the ability to overcome that obstacle and win this race.
5. HOT SNITZEL – J Bowman (9)
His first two runs back this campaign resulted in a close second to Flamberge in the Group 3 Sebring Stakes and a strong victory in the G3 Hall Mark Stakes, where he defeated Knoydart by 1 ¼ lengths. That form earned him a shot at the G1 BTC Cup last fortnight but the Gerald Ryan gelding raced ungenerously throughout the race and proved difficult to ride out in the straight. He finished a disappointing second to last (4.4 lengths) in the field of seven. He is re-united with Bowman, who rode him to victory in the Hall Mark and is a better horse than his last start would indicate. Rounded out last campaign with a second to Lankan Rupee and should produce an effort better than his current price suggests.
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6. CONSERVATORIUM – J Bowditch (11)
He finished two close seconds in Stakes races and took out the Listed Eyeliner Stakes from three starts during this carnival last year so it is no surprise to see the 6yo Royal Academy gelding back again. His contested the good sprint races in Adelaide recently with his most recent effort, an eighth (4.2 lengths) in the G1 Goodwood Handicap, the closest he has finished to the winner this prep. Steps up to WFA here and jumps from a wide gate. Combined with the improvement he needs to show on recent efforts, plenty against him here.
7. FAMOUS SEAMUS – R Wiggins (2)
After an excellent effort first up in the G2 Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Randwick five starts ago, more was expected from the Noel Mayfield-Smith trained galloper at his following starts – the G1 The Galaxy and G1 TJ Smith. As a 9/1 shot, he disappointed in The Galaxy (ninth) and like many others, just didn’t get through the heavy in the G1 TJ Smith. He then came north and was plain at best in the G2 Victory Stakes (fifth) before unexpectedly producing his best last fortnight, finishing well from mid-field to take out the G1 BTC Cup by half a length form Spirit Of Boom Hard to put the finger on what caused the significant improvement last but it demonstrated what this horse is capable of and from an ideal draw here, she be involved in the finish.
8. KNOYDART – K McEvoy (6)
Blossomed earlier this year when he returned from a spell where he was gelded. He strung three in a row including the Listed Canterbury Classic and Hareeba Stakes before stepping up again to the top level of the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate and Newmarket Handicap. He finished third to Lankan Rupee and Spirit of Boom in both of those races, rounding out an exceptional campaign. He returned to racing four weeks ago as the even money favourite in the G3 Hall Mark Stakes. He loomed up in the straight looking as though he’d win as comfortably as his price suggested but he couldn’t reel in Hot Snitzel and finished second, a ¼ length away. Expected to win last start but previous efforts earn him another go here and from gate six, should be in a nice position throughout.
9. SCREAM MACHINE – T Angland (1)
Returned from a spell with a good third (3/4 length) in a BM 95 (1350m) at Rosehill a fortnight ago. The 5yo by Excites contested some handy races last prep and claimed third in the G3 Cameron Handicap however, that campaign and his first up effort, are both well short of the credentials needed to claim a G1 WFA event.
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10. DRIEFONTEIN – N Rawiller (5)
She found firmer track and won the G3 Irwin Stakes and G1 Robert Sangster in consecutive starts over the Adelaide carnival recently after having failed on soft track in Sydney. Unfortunately the Gai Waterhouse runner struck a slow track again in the G1 Goodwood Handicap at her most recent start and finished well back in fifteenth spot. Better on a firmer surface and although she’s a Group 1 winner, it was against her sex at set weights. Open WFA event is harder still and the last furlong at this level should see her out.
11. PERON – T Bell (7)
Despite returning from a lengthy spell, punters were right behind the smart John Thompson mare first up in the G2 Sapphire Stakes (1200m) and sent her out in the 7/2 favourite. She settled back in a race that was slowly run and was always struggling to make ground on the leader and eventual winner Cosmic Endeavour, finishing eighth. The then came to Brisbane and the G1 BTC Cup where again, she settled at the tail but was seen warming up nicely over the final stages to claim fifth (2.9 lengths). Third up of a decent break and the step to 1350m are both positives for here and she’s above average however, prefer her against her own sex until she proves herself at this level.
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RACE OVERVIEW
Pace will be good here with Buffering crossing and Driefontein keeping him honest. Behind them will be Famous Seamus and Temple Of Boom who are both capable of filling a place but sticking with Spirit of Boom again. Two recent QLD runs have been first rate and the 1350m likes ideal. Surprisingly he has never won in eleven attempts at Doomben but expecting him to break that duck here. Buffering is ready now. His three previous runs this prep have been well spaced and the run a fortnight ago – a good third in the BTC Cup – should have him at his top here. If he can find the lead or an on-pace position, he’ll prove very hard to run down. The first up run on a bog track may have flattened Rebel Dane in the All Aged and getting on a dry track and out in distance, should see him bounce back to his best.
- SPIRIT OF BOOM
- BUFFERING
- REBEL DANE
- FAMOUS SEAMUS