RACE COVERAGE : DOOMBEN 09 MAY

The Brisbane Racing Club hosts Queensland metropolitan racing at Doomben today. 

Follow our race coverage for all the comments from jockeys and trainers, photos and race replays from all nine races on the card. 

RACE ONE - 11 :20AM TAB BENCHMARK 80 HANDICAP 1050M

1^st – Papa Jo – Lindsay Hatch – Brad Stewart

2^nd – I Dream of Green – Stuart Kendrick – Daniel Griffin

3^rd – Tisani Magic – Kevin Kemp – Corey Bayliss

Trainer Comments - Lindsay Hatch

"Traditionally he's been very smart out of the barriers, so when he dipped at Ipswich last start we were a little concerned it could effect him today but he was fine."

"He wasn't place too well his last couple of starts there just weren't any other races for him and we used them as a lead in to today."

"He's much better over the 1000 metres and I think he'll be able to get out over the 1100 and maybe even 1200 the way he's going."

"He had a bit of a fight on his hands up the straight and showed good courage at the end, he's a grouse little horse lot of character."

"I thought he might be coming towards the end of him prep but clearly not after today's performance we'll press on and probably test him a little further than the 1000 metres."

Race Review –

Lindsay Hatch’s four-year-old gelding Papa Jo had no favours his last two starts drawn the carpark at Ipswich and Aquis Park over the nine hundred metre dash, but bounced back to winning form at Doomben controlling the contest in the first.

He faced another tricky start over the 1050 in the Benchmark 80 at Doomben today but crucially drew gate one and leading hoop Brad Stewart bounced out of the gates first and got straight to the fence.

The horse got things his own way in front for most of the race The Great Boombino had to work hard to sit outside him and he dropped him off early in the straight drifting a couple off the fence in the run to the judge.

That left a run from Stuart Kendrick’s I Dream of Green who had been box seating up the rail and he drew within half a length mid-way up the straight before Hatch’s galloper came again scoring by a neat length getting back to the winning form he started this prep with.

Tisani Magic was a good run for Kevin Kemp, buried on the rail towards the back of the field Corey Bayliss took inside runs to improve his position but never saw daylight till the last hundred where he was full of running.

RACE TWO - 11:55AM MITTYS BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP 2020M

1st - Dissolution - David Vandyke - Jake Bayliss

2nd - Champagne Vega - Bruce Hill - Matthew McGillivray

3rd - Watch The Cat - Barry Lockwood - Sean Cormack

Trainer Comments - David Vandyke

"I have to be honest I'd lost a bit of faith in him, his runs really hadn't been up to scratch and i was at a bit of a loss of what to do with him and saw this race over 2000 and thought why not."

"Going on todays performance we'll probably keep him over the distance, it was a gutsy effort he looked gone a couple of times up the straight but kept finding."

"Jake (Bayliss) road him perfectly we wanted to sit behind the leader get him out give him a little tap with the stick and see what he had and that was enough to win us the race."

Race Review -

David Vandyke wins the second with Jake Bayliss taking the ride on former million dollar colt purchase Dissolution, the five-year-old relishing the step up in trip to the 2000 metres after struggling his last few starts.

Bayliss was able to box seat with the horse behind a strong speed set by Galtero who gave a good kick coming into the straight leaving his mount flat footed.

Slowly Dissolution began to pick up a bumping duel with Watch The Cat not helping, but once he did balance up did his best work late holding off a flying Champagne Vega from the back.

The son of Snitzel may not have lived up to his price tag, but his earnings are well up over the $200,000 mark and connections will be hoping for a strong second chapter to his racing career over the staying trips.

The gelding had only won two of his twenty-five starts with seven placings coming into the event and at the third time of asking over the longer distance got a bit confidence booster to move forward with.

RACE THREE - 12:30PM TAB FILLIES AND MARES BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP 1200M

1st – Hollaback Girl – Tony Gollan – Jim Byrne

2^nd – Trail of Glory – Tony Gollan – Baylee Nothdurft

3^rd – Champagne Daisy – David Vandyke – Jake Bayliss

Trainer Comments - Tony Gollan

"We've all seen what Jimmy (Byrne) has gone through trying to get back from this injury it's been tough, but I know he loves riding winners and hopefully  this win keeps him in good spirits for the Outback Barbie ride later today."

"It looked quite a tricky race for her she had the big weight but we still decided to be aggressive and ride outside the leader, I was a little concerned she could get a bit tired late over the 1200 but she toughed it out really well."

"Her formlines behind the stable mates (Niedorp/All Important) were about as good as you could find and they stood up today."

"She's a lovely looking mare with an improving city record if we can knock over a few more races in town she's going to make a very nice brood mare for connections."

"I'm probably leaning towards Outback Barbie later on just because of the good barrier, in saying that i just love this horse Vega one and the way the track is running on could play right into his hands."

"They've both come back better horses and are right on track for their respecive goals, I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do."

Race Review –

Hollaback Girl has broken through at start five this preparation for the Gollan camp, the mare placed her last four times was knocking on the door for a victory and it came in the Benchmark 72 over 1200 metres at Doomben giving Jim Byrne his first metro winner back from a significant leg injury.

Byrne rode the mare with vigour early to land outside the leader Sister Kitty Mac happy to punch the breeze in a leading position.

The veteran jock started to feel for his ride at the top of the straight as she was on terms with the leading very quickly striking the lead at the 300, there was plenty of time life for swoopers but none came the leader powering away.

Hollaback Girl came off exceptional form lines behind gun stable mates Niedorp and All Important and found the right race to get her win with another stable mate in second Trail Of Glory.

It’s been a long road back for Byrne who’s been off the scene for some time rehabbing a serious leg injury.

He was scheduled to make his return in March but had a set back, but the champion Queensland jockey clearly still has the fire and is back riding winners.

RACE FOUR - 1:05PM XXXX DRY COLTS, GELDINGS AND ENTIRES BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP 1200M

1st – Depths Below – Gillian Heinrich – Luke Dittman

2^nd – The Wild One – Steven O’Dea – Stephanie Thornton

3^rd – The Sinner – Natalie McCall – Ryan Maloney

Stable Comments - Myles Plumb

"We've put a bi of gear on his head the last couple of starts and it's worked a treat he's much more focused in the run and you saw him really knuckle down at the finish today."

"Luke Dittman has done a great job with this horse, it was a really clever ride today covered him up for the trip and got him out when he needed to."

"He's generally a horse that if he wins needs last crack at them and Luke (Dittman) gave him that chance."

"Gillian (Heinrich) and myself both think he's progressive, he's shown he's up to city grade so we'll find another similar race and go from there." 

Race Review –

Depths Below was set to be a leading chance at the provincial Gold Coast meeting yesterday a last-minute late scratching from trainer Gillian Heinrich indicated she thought the horse was up to city class and she was spot on winning the Benchmark 72 Handicap in good fashion.

The gelding saved every bit of energy in the run nursed along fifth on the fence by jockey Luke Dittman, who was able to take a small gap at the top of the straight and shift into the clear down the middle of the track.

Steph Thornton had dictated terms well on Depths Below in front and the O’Dea runner still looked prominent at the hundred but the four-year-old lifted late to score by a long neck.

It was a big jump in grade for the lightly raced galloper from a mid-week Ipswich win to a Saturday metro triumph, but Depths Below looks like a horse on the rise having now won three of his last five.

The Wild One was bold gripping on for second while the black book run out of the race was Natalie McCalls’ The Sinner who was forced back to last and widest at the turn rattling home to finish half a length off the eventual winner in third.

RACE FIVE - 1:45PM TAB BENCHMARK 85 HANDICAP 1350M

1st – Red Chase – Desleigh Forster - Taylor Marshall

2^nd – Inquiry – Jarred Wehlow – Brad Stewart

3^rd – Langhro – Steven O’Dea – Justin Huxtable

Trainer Comments - Desleigh Forster

"All credit to Taylor Marshall he's a young guy who does everything right, is always at the track every morning looking for work and more than happy to give him rides the way he's going."

"I thought the horses first run back from a spell was really good and on the back of that we chucked the blinkers on to improve him and it did the opposite he looked to track into the race and just stopped."

"We pulled them off his last two starts and just like that he's gone bang bang and won two in a row."

"He's traditionally been a little bit of a handful at home and has even run off the track under race conditions, but he's just starting to calm down and when he hits form he usually holds it, so fingers crossed he can kick on."

Race Review –

Desleigh Forster’s four-year-old gelding Red Chase had endured a puzzling preparation until young hoop Taylor Marshall jumped on two starts ago and has since gone third, win and another dominant win over the 1350 metres at Doomben today.

That’s back to back Saturday wins for the horse after bursting through late to score at the Sunshine Coast last start by the narrowest of margins, but he left no doubt today rolling off the leaders back and with a little encouragement running away a soft three length winner.

Red Chase put them away like a horse destined for bigger things showing if there’s good speed on like Inquiry gave him today, he’s got the ability to switch off mid race and sprint.

Forster has only tested the horse as far as the 1400 so far but the way he has finished his last two races the son on Red Element could conceivably be very good over a mile with his sharp sprint as well.

RACE SIX - 2:25PM ROKU GIN QTIS TWO-YEARS-OLD PLATE 1110M

1st – Gotta Kiss – Steven O’Dea – Stephanie Thornton

2^nd – Goldsborough – Gary Duncan – Sean Cormack

3^rd – Dusty Tycoon – Robert Heathcote – Dale Smith

Trainer Comments - Steven O'Dea

"She flew the gates like she usually does and Steph (Thornton) was just able to ease her out of that speed battle and find a really comfortable spot in the run, I've been really impressed right from her first start the ability to switch off and she did it again today."

"Steph (Thornton) knows her so well, she got going at just the right time around the six hundred letting her know she needed to start to pick up a few lengths and was poised at the top of the lane."

"The filly just has a bad habit of wanting to lay in a little, she's a big striding horse and it takes her a while to balance up, we might think about putting some blinkers on in the future."

"We'll head to the Champagne stakes in two weeks time which will be a tougher test and after that either the J.J. Atkins or there's a listed fillies race in three weeks time, we'll see how she comes through her next run."

Race Review –

Steven O’Dea’s star filly Gotta Kiss has lifted late to win the QTIS Two-Year-Old’s over the 1110 at Doomben, Steph Thornton throwing everything at the favourite late to reel in Golsborough in the last fifty metres.

Gotta Kiss and Goldsborough were both beaten by the exciting Isotope a fortnight ago at the Sunshine Coast, Gary Duncan’s galloper finishing slightly in front of Gotta Kiss who was first up.

The O’Dea filly was able to turn the tables today settling slightly worse than midfield one off the fence Thornton pulled out three wide approaching the turn while Goldsborough took the rails run as both claimed Dusty Tycoon below the furlong.

Goldsborough was in front until the shadows of the post, second up with an extra bit of fitness Gotta Kiss who made it all the way to the Magic Millions in her first campaign got win number one in her second preparation.

RACE SEVEN - 3:05PM SKY RACING DOOMBEN GUINEAS (3YO) 1615M

1st – Vanna Girl – Toby & Trent Edmonds

2^nd – Supergiant – Michael Costa – Allan Chau

3^rd – Ballistic Boy – Chris Anderson – Brad Stewart

Trainer comments - Toby Edmonds

"She's exceeded all our expectations, she was a $40,000 purchase and after today has over $200,000 in the bank after eight starts, what a fantastic little money spinner."

"She's quite deep into her preparation we really had to stretch out her runs to keep her up for a race like this it's been a big effort from a lightly raced three-year-old."

"The Roses is her target before Covid-19 we were looking at the Oaks but with that not being an option before and all things well we'll push on."

"She's such a versatile filly, with gate one today we were able to ride her right up on speed Matty (McGillivray) gave her the trip we wanted, but under different circumstances you could ride her back and run on as well."

"She's still going great at home and as we saw today racing as good as ever at this stage we'll keep her in until she tells us she needs a break."

Race Review –

Toby & Trent Edmonds take out the Listed Doomben Guineas for the three-year-olds with star filly Vanna Girl putting some black type form on her brilliant eight start career comprising on five wins and two seconds.

The filly battled for favouritism with Chris Anderson’s Profit, but those who took the $2.60 for Vanna Girl would have been smiling throughout the run Matthew McGillivray tucking in perfectly behind Michael Costa’s leader Supergiant.

Costa’s mount gave a bold sight but had done a mountain of work out front and once McGillivray presented Vanna Girl in the straight, she had fresh legs and was full of running to the line.

The Edmonds stable spaced the fillies runs ideally for this race, freshened up for a couple of months after an Eagle Farm win over the mile in February she trialled in March before running a bold second at Doomben and topped off her preparation with a win on April 17^th at Aquis Park.

Black Type win secured it may be time for the paddock, unless the team think they can find another nice race for her approaching winter programming.

RACE EIGHT - 3:45PM TAB BRC SPRINT 1200M

1st – Tambo’s Mate – Stuart Kendrick – Matthew McGillivray

2^nd – Deep Image – Rob Heathcote – Stephanie Thornton

3^rd – Outback Barbie – Tony Gollan – Jim Byrne

Race Review –

Tambo’s Mate has secured his first Group victory in the Group Three BRC Sprint Matthew McGillivray getting the four-year-old geldings nose down to edge out Robert Heathcote’s Deep Image in a stirring battle.

Kendrick celebrated his nine hundredth career winner during the week which only got better with the brave win the gelding adding a Group Win to his Tattersall’s Recognition Stakes listed win last prep.

McGillivray jumped in a leading division of around four horses and trapped wide chose to push forward on his mount setting up shop second outside Mishani Hustler much of the run.

The pair quickly got rid of the leader entering the straight but Deep Image strode up boldly outside Tambo’s Mate the two horses left to fight it out as Outback Barbie couldn’t raise an effort in third.

In a bobbing affair it was Tambo’s mate who would score in a photo for Kendrick, a $12 shot for any punters who found him.

It was a brilliant trainer effort from Kendrick who had his charge rock hard fit for the assignment third up, stepping up an extra furlong from his last start second at his home track the Sunshine Coast.

Sixteen starts for eight wins, one listed, one Group Three at a fifty percent strike rate the four-year-old is a horse going places.

RACE NINE - 4:35PM ASCOT GREEN BENCHMARK 80 HANDICAP 1615M

1st – Tokoriki Lad – Tony Gollan – Adin Thompson

2^nd – Red Stina – Rex Lipp – Stephanie Thornton

3^rd – Erringhi Spring – Barry Lockwood – Sean Cormack

Race Review –

Tokoriki Lad has grabbed his elusive win this preparation holding off a flying Red Stina and persistent Erringhi Spring to score over the mile for Tony Gollan and Adin Thompson.

The young hoop got Tokoriki Lad into a nice spot from the inside draw sitting fifth on the fence behind a strong speed set by rough chances Ecker Road and Shauquin.

Things got stinky as Thompson found himself stuck behind tiring horses on the rail entering the straight, but he managed to bullock his way out and into the clear.

His mount let down well, but Erringhi Spring had a charmed run also and wasn’t going anywhere while Red Stina was coming at a rate of knots at the back, in the end Tokoriki Lad repelled both in the last stride.

The horse was overdue for a win running a huge second behind the talented Profit last time out at the Sunshine Coast after sitting three wide no cover the trip.