The Brisbane Winter Carnival officially heats up this Saturday with the running of the Doomben 10,000, the first Group 1 of the Queensland season. Down south, Scone hosts Day 2 of the Scone Cup Carnival, while Flemington offers a golden ticket into the Melbourne Cup with the Andrew Ramsden.
With wet tracks, deep fields, and plenty of value on offer, here are our Showdown picks for the weekend:
Leg 1 – Doomben R5 – #4 Torque To Be Sure
This lightly raced colt has run second in all three starts to date, showing plenty of talent despite being a maiden. He threw one away as a $1.50 favourite two back, but looks a more mature galloper this prep. He hit the line nicely first-up, will appreciate the step to 1200m, and the wide draw should be no disadvantage at Doomben. Ready to break through.
Leg 2 – Scone R7 – #9 Totoka
She’s a tough mare who has been thrown in the deep end a few times, but she won well first-up at this track on soft ground. She then ran second on a heavy track at Canterbury, only finding Photograph better, who she now meets 2.5kg better at the weights. This is a rise in grade, but she has conditions to suit and upside in her corner.
Leg 9 – Doomben R8 – #10 Jedibeel
The Doomben 10,000 is a wide-open affair this year, and with a wet track likely, it’s a genuine lottery. There’s plenty of early speed here, which could suit a horse like Jedibeel who can stalk the pace from a low draw and get to the middle of the track where the ground is likely to be better. Ready to strike at each-way odds.
Leg 11 – Scone R10 – #8 Phearson
He’s a progressive type who looks primed third-up. He’s been a touch slow away in both runs this prep, but has reeled off some of the best late splits of each race. The bigger track and longer trip should suit, and if he jumps cleanly, he can sit closer and unleash late.
Final Word
It’s a monster Saturday of racing from Queensland to New South Wales and all the way to Victoria, with golden tickets, Group 1 glory, and Showdown points on the line. Expect some upsets and big prices with rain-affected tracks in play, making this the perfect weekend to stack your ticket with a few roughies.
Let’s cash in. 🏇💥💰