LIVE BLOG: TAB Doomben 10,000 Day

By Alex Nolan and Isaac Murphy 

Group 1 racing returns to the Sunshine State with the running of the time-honoured TAB Doomben 10,000 at the Brisbane Racing Club. 

Punters have declared the feature a two-horse race with Nature Strip and Osborne Bulls attracting the majority of support with TAB. 

Gates open to the public at 10.30am and the nine-race card kicks off at 11.25am. 

If you can't be trackside, Racing Queensland has you covered. Follow our live blog below to see all the action unfold and log in to RaceQ on Facebook and Twitter for further updates. 

WATCH: Osborne Bulls and Godolphin ready to fire during Winter Carnival  

WATCH: Nature Strip is a #WinterWarrior to watch in 2019 

PREVIEW: Bjorn Baker hopeful Champagne Cuddles can end Group 1 Drought 

RACE 1 - VALMONT COATINGS FILLIES AND MARES CLASS 6 HANDICAP 1200M

1st - River Racer - Les Ross - Robbie Fradd

2nd - Awake The Stars - Toby Edmonds - Blake Shinn

3rd - Prue's Angel - Tony Gollan - Brad Stewart

River Racer has struck first for Les Ross on 10,000 day, Five-year-old mare River Racing coming from the back with the 59 kilos in the Class 6 Handicap for Les Ross and Robbie Fradd.

The mare has been an enigma throughout her career showing a huge upside without cashing in, but Ross thinks her second Saturday win in her last three starts has her on her way.

"I thought she would be a little closer in the run than that, but to still go the job done from there, there's bigger and better things to come," he said.

"I'm looking at taking her to Sydney, it's a little weaker this time of year and she's struck some nice form."

Ross said the mare was finally getting reward in an injury hampered career and gave props to veteran hoop Robbie Fradd who has brought the best out of her.

"She's a lot better mare than her record indicates, we've had a lot of problems with injury, but she's started to get it right this prep I was quietly confident she'd run well today," Ross said.

"Of her four wins Robbie Fradd has been on three times, he's got thr key to her."

Fradd was rapt with the run under far from ideal conditions and was looking forward on seeing where the mare could get to.

"Back in the field, up in the weights she could have had a lot of excuses today, but the way she put them away under those conditions was impressive, she's got Black Type in her future," Fradd said.

"Fantastic to see the track is in brilliant condition, we had no problem making up ground and the leaders stuck on as well, they'll be coming from everywhee today."

RACE 2 - MITTYS COLTS, GELDINGS AND ENTIRES CLASS 6 HANDICAP 1200M

1st - Ef Troop - Tony Gollan - Jeff Lloyd

2nd - Natch - Tony Gollan - Brad Stewart 

3rd - Traumatised - Kirsten Buchanan - Jackson Murphy

Ef Troop turned heads when he won the Phelan Ready as a two-year-old last year and looks ready to make waves as a three-year-old kicking off his Winter Carnival with a front running masterclass for Tony Gollan who scored the quinella with Natch closing late in The Class 6 Handicap.

The gelding was set to run at Aquis Park Gold Coast last week, but his return was offset by inclement weather, in the end a week off didn't make a difference as the horse conquered the six furlongs.

"We've given him four jumpouts and trials in an attempt to get him rock hard fit to run out a strong 1200 metres, but he answered that today," Gollan said.

"He's a funny horse even at track work he won't relax I'd love him to drop his head but that's just not him."

"Natch's run was oustanding he was at the vet for ten days with an eye injury after his last start at Toowoomba, we'll be seeing plenty of both of them over the next few months."

Veteran Hoop Jeff Lloyd said the geldings front running style was put to the test in tough conditions, the result a sign of things to come.

"There's quite a breeze out there today and he ran into it most of the way and stuck on well," Lloyd said.

"He's a great front runner this horse, he's got a high cruising speed and when he bowls along in front he'll take a lot of catching over the 1200 or shorter."

RACE 3 - AMBASSADOR TRAVEL BENCHMARK 80 HANDICAP 1350M

1st - Cruze - Barry Lockwood - Corey Bayliss

2nd - The Avenger - Chris Waller - Kerrin McEvoy

3rd - So Spirited - Steven O'Dea - Blake Shinn

Cruze missed by a nose in his last start two weeks ago at Eagle Farm, looking a good thing beaten charging home for trainer Barry Lockwood.

Of the back of the impressive showing Lockwood said he came to the Benchmark 80 over 1350 metres with a fair amount of confidence and he was vindicated as the gelding burst through under the light weight of apprecentice Corey Bayliss.

"The only worry today was finding a run on the smaller track, I thought he put the writing on the wall with his last start at Eagle Farm and to Corey's (Bayliss) credit he was patient and got the split," Lockwood said.

"There's a seven furlong Class 6 at Eagle Farm in a fortnight, if he goes well again there I can see him making it in open company."

"He needs confidence this horse and with a couple of wins in his last few starts I'm hoping this will take him to the next level."

Bayliss carried just 52.5 kilos with his claim and said he was rapt to get a win for Lockwood on a Group One day.

"Unreal to get a win on 10,000 day, especially for Barry, he's always given me a lot of support and I'm glad I could repay a bit of that," Bayliss said.

"I was held up for a moment, but once he got that run he bolted through and got it done."

RACE 4 - SUEZ QUEENSLAND DAY STAKES 1350M​

1st - Vega One - Tony Gollan - Blake Shinn

2nd - Multaja - James Cummings - Kerrin McEvoy

3rd - Mishani Hustler - Les Ross - Taylor Marshall 

Vega One picked up his maiden at start eight at Doomben on the 3rd of April, a little over the a month later the Tony Gollan trained gelding bolted away by three and a quarter lengths in the Listed Queensland Day Stakes.

The Chris Munce trained Racecourse Road set a cracking tempo up front allowing Vega One to get a lovely trail before going bang in the straight.

"He got into a lovely spot, he got the run Blake (Shinn) thought he would get if he stepped away nicely and was really strong through the line, he's got a big future this carnival," Gollan said.

"His next task will probably be The Fred Best in a fortnight and if he comes through that we could really go big picture."

"I'd love to dream of The Guineas or a light weight in The Stradbroke, it's a good distance range for him and in form you can dare to dream."

Shinn hasn't stopped riding winners since arriving in Queensland and said the three-year-old had a big Winter ahead.

"He's a horse on the rise he did that with ease today, he gave me a really good feel the way he let down," Shinn said.

"He could prove a real bolter for the big races in the carnival, he proved today he's better on top of the ground where as his last two runs were on the heavy."
 

RACE 5 - NATIONAL ROAD SAFETY WEEK ROUGH HABIT PLATE 2000M

1st - Purple Sector - John Thompson - Blake Shinn

2nd - A Man To Match - Tony Gollan - Larry Cassidy

3rd - Dealmaker - Chris Waller - James McDonald

Purple Sector has capped off a long Sydney preparation by winning The Group Three Rough Habit Plate for John Thompson a race the Randwick trainer singled out as a fitting "grand final" for the three-year-old colt. 

"Throughout his Sydney preparation we always had an eye on this race," Thompson said.

"Six runs and nice and fit over the 2000 metres, he was ready to run a race today and Blake (Shinn) got him in a nice rythm in a perfect spot to do that."

"He's had a long prep and even with the Derby approaching we'll tip him out now, 2000 metres is right on his distance range, he'll be a lot better equipped for races like that in twelve months time."

Blake Shinn notched up another win settling perfectly behind the leading duo before letting go.

"I knew I had to get him to switch off fortunately the leaders pressed on with it and we had cover throughout, his sprint was just too good for them."

RACE 6 - MOET & CHANDON CHAMPAGNE CLASSIC 1200M

1st - Dubious - Ciaron Maher & David Eustace - James McDonald

Dead Heat 2nd

2nd - Strasbourg - P&P Snowden - Kerrin McEvoy

2nd - Czarson - Waterhouse & Bott - Blake Shinn

It was a case of what if when Dubious ran a game second in the Magic Millions Two-Year-Old's for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace earlier this year, but the colt left his rivals behind in the Champagne Classic bursting clear late under a ripping James McDonald ride.

The colt was set to run in the Gold Coast Guineas last week, but bypassed the wet track and trainer Maher was not dissapointed with an emphatic display leading to questions about his Group One J.J. Atkins hopes if given a start.

"I thought before the race he was a little bit vulnerable he hadn't had a run for a while, but James McDonald beautiful ride he just waited and got the split and let down nice," Maher said.

"I'd be certainly willing to roll the dice with the J.J. Atkins (1600m) the way he got to the line today gives every indication he'll get the trip, but we've also got to be wary he's been up a long time now."

McDonald tucked Dubious away midfield and despite a few nervous moments at the top of the straight found the right run for him.

"He's a ripping colt, lovely horse to ride nice action, at this stage he's just doing what he has to I get the feeling there's still a little bit up the sleeve, which I'm sure Ciaron and Dave will get out of him," he said.

"There is the concern he's been up for a long time, but that can also be a positive that he's handling everything that's put in front of him, whether that's a Group One time will tell."

RACE 7 - NEWINGTON FARM MEMBERS' HANDICAP 1600M

1st - Archedemus - Gwenda Markwell - Corey Brown

2nd - Tom Melbourne - Chris Waller - James McDonald 

3rd - Gem Song - Kris Lees - Ron Stewart

Archedemus hasn't had the easiest of rides with multiple injuries hampering the promising gelding throughout his career, but at five-years-old the formula is simple go to the front and catch me if you can and the Gwenda Markwell galloper couldn't be caught in the Newington Farm Members' Handicap.

Jockey Corey Brown rolled the gelding to the front following his typical race pattern and despite attempts from other fancies Tom Melbourne and Gem Song the lightly raced gelding was too good.

Stable representative Ross Williams has done the hard yards getting the horse back to the track and was buzzing after the listed win.

"I'm so proud of the horse he's had a tough life being five years old with only the ten starts, but all the hard work with Gwenda (Markwell) has started to pay off," Williams said.

"He doesn't give up, he loves rolling along in front and when they come at him he finds another gear, I don't think we've seen his best yet either."

"Gwenda thinks we can press on with him, so we'll be back for the Doomben Cup next week which will be a much tougher assignment, but racing in this form you've got to give him a chance."

Corey Brown executed the ride to perfection and was looking forward to getting back on the horse for the Doomben Cup.

"I let him take his time getting to the front today over the mile I didn't want to get him too revved up," he said.

"Down the back when I got a few cheap sectionals for about three furlongs I thought it was pretty dangerous to sit of us like they did and he finished just as strong as he started."

"I don't think he'll have any problem backing up he's a big, tough, robust horse and I don't think it took too much out of him today."

RACE 8 - TAB DOOMBEN 10,000 1200M

1st - The Bostonian - Tony Pike - Michael Cahill

2nd - Osbourne Bulls - James Cummings - Kerrin McEvoy

3rd - Dollar For Dollar - Tony McEvoy - Jamie Kah

The Bostonian enjoyed an unbeaten prep culminating in a Sunshine Coast Guineas triumph last time the Tony Pike trained gelding was on Australian shores.

That prep was impressive but the four-year-old gelding has taken it to the next level 2019 rolling the well fancied Osbourne Bulls and Nature Strip to win the Group One Doomben 10,000 for the New Zealand based trainer.

Veteran hoop Michael Cahill won the race for the second time after his 2001 triumph on Falvelon and improved his unbeaten record to four rides for four wins on The Bostonian.

Stable representative Chris McNab spoke about the huge run first up.

"He's some horse isn't he, he's got the heart of a lion!," he said.

"With all the talk around Nature Strip and Osbourne Bulls we were hoping for a top three finish, to win is the stuff of dreams."

McNab said Pike had complete trust in Cahill and was looking forward to the gelding's next challenge.

"Tony (Pike) said just leave it totally up to Michael Cahill he's ridden in one hundred of these races and how he rode him to get him home was unreal," McNab said.

"Tony will have a talk to the owner David Archer, but possibly straight to The Stradbroke now."

An elated Cahill recalled his 2001 triumph and said despite the starting price of $51 his plan came to fruition.

"It's been eighteen years since I won this race but it seems like yesterday, it's brought back a lot of memories," Cahill said.

"I expected to be in that first four of five and we were travelling strong up to the corner he just needed that run which came in the nick of time."

RACE 9 - KIRIN CHAIRMAN'S HANDICAP 2000M

1st - Le Juge - Chris Waller - Robbie Fradd

2nd - Igraine - Robert Priscott - Ron Stewart

3rd - Haripour - Chris Waller - James McDonald

There is no horse in Queensland who has come further than Le Juge for the Waller stable in the past few months, the gelding bringing up win number seven in the prep in The Group Three Chairman's Handicap.

The horse had only been battling in Sydney and Waller gave full credit to his Queensland stable the horses regular rider for turning him into a group horse.

"The team up here in Queensland along with Robbie Fradd have done amazing things with this horse, he's been up for a heck of a long time this is his seventh win this preparation," Waller said.

"He just keeps taking it in his stride, this was his toughest race and first time over 2000 metres and he's still going great."

"There are a few hurdles in front of us, but it would be great to get him to a Brisbane Cup."

Fradd new he would have to ride for luck in a deep field and produced a gem to get up along the fence.

"I had to cut the corners with him up against stronger company and he just kept hitting each gap, it doesn't often happen coming from that far back on the turn, but he was travelling well the whole way and got the split," Fradd said.