DOOMBEN 10,000

RACE 8 - 1200m WFA

JIMMYSSTAR / PRIVATE HARRY / GRAFTBURNERS

The powerful PER INCANTO gelding JIMMYSSTAR ran on from the 300m and was strong to the line finishing 3rd in the G1 All-Aged Stakes at Randwick, a race he won last year. At six years of age, it is evident that the horse has necessitated the three runs to achieve optimal condition, and Ciaron Maher appears to have successfully brought the star sprinter to peak physical form, with noticeable improvements in strength. Won the G1 C.F Orr and Oakleigh Plate, so there is no question over his ability as a high calibre racehorse ready to strike. The stable is confident the remarkable galloper will find his way into the winner’s stall in Queensland this winter.

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By all reports PRIVATE HARRY appears a picture of health following his first up run facing a HEAVY8 in the Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm, with conditions not ideal. Would certainly have added some strength to the HARRY ANGEL gelding who has won 5 from 8, but has not been first over the line since taking out the Gr.1 The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill in March 2025. That doesn't seem to concern Chris Waller after the gelding trialled up so well prior to resuming. Drawn well, Berry on and at seriously good odds. Could be the upset horse we believe.

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If a Queensland horse is going to win the 10,000 then it could be the Kelly Schweida trained GRAFTBURNERS who is aiming to be the first since the recently departed FAVELON won in 2002, followed by SPIRIT OF BOOM in 2014. The exciting colt stamped himself a potential superstar by extending his winning streak to four races unbeaten last preparation with a barnstorming victory in the Sunlight 3YO Plate (1100m) at the Gold Coast. Stuck to the chase resuming for 3rd in the Arrowfield and likely to be well primed for this. Good gate, Purton on - can win it for the Queenslanders.

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SPIRIT OF BOOM CLASSIC G2

RACE 4 - 1200m 2YO

DREAM ROCA / VANTORIX / ESPERANZA

The Liam Birchley-trained DREAM ROCA hadn't raced since taking out the 2YO Karaka Millions at Ellerslie in late January, and the filly was brilliant up against a fine batch of Kiwi juveniles. Kept finding to finish in 3rd fresh up in the Dalrello at Eagle Farm and likely to strip much sharper. Smashed then by six lengths on debut at the Sunny, followed by another stylish victory over 1000m at Eagle Farm, and boy the EL ROCA filly went quick. 2nd up could be hard to hold out and might have bit on a couple of these less experienced two-year-olds.

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VANTORIX left a huge impression winning on debut for the Port Macquarie stable of Jenny Graham and this gelding looks a very smart two-year-old. CAPTIVATE's first crop son made an immediate impact at Taree, producing a professional and dominant performance to win a Maiden Plate (1005m) by 2.5 lengths on debut. Vantorix is the fifth foal out of Listed MRC Debutant Stakes placegetter MISS LOREN and a half-brother to G3 San Domenico Stakes winner RAGING FORCE. Plenty still to learn but may be good enough.

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ESPERANZA has not drawn well for a go fast two-year-old event but the Rex Lipp trained filly does have some genuine ability and showed it winning on debut here at Doomben over 1110m in February. She hasn’t won since but finished runner-up behind SWIFT DRAGON in the QTIS Jewel 2YO on the Gold Coast in March. More recently, she was sixth in the Calaway Gal Stakes when not being suited by the heavy Eagle Farm track .The two-year-old daughter of the recently departed SPIRIT OF BOOM will carry the McAlpine’s Eureka Stud colours in the hope they can get the job done for the great Queensland sire.

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ROUGH HABIT PLATE G3

RACE 9 - 2000m

SOLID GOLD / SOVERATO / PROVIDENCE

Love the pedigree on the SAVABEEL filly SOLID GOLD from the James/Wellwood Kingsclere barn who has shown on raceday just how good she is. Finished 4th on debut at Taupo in September, followed by a 3rd to the slick SWISS PRINCE over 1400m at Ellerslie in October. Ran on for 3rd at Counties before really hitting her straps with a big finish for an easy win over 1600m at Ellerslie, then showed her underlying class when taking out the Gr.3 Trelawney (2100m) over some progressive three-year-olds. This trip suits well and despite the wide draw should get home strongly.

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Chris Waller was supremely confident SOVERATO would run well in the Oaks, but she battled into 5th when clear at the 300m. This three-year-old VADAMOS filly won her maiden at Kembla in November, then chased hard to prevail over 1550m at Canterbury Park in February. Only clear late in the Phar Lap behind SIXTIES, then chased hard to find the front in the Adrian Knox before being headed by PROFOUNDLY at the 120m. Carefully handled by the master trainer with a Group win the central focus. She is smart and destined for bigger things but will need to bring her 'A' game on Saturday.

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PROVIDENCE is a good horse and leading in towards the QLD Derby where he may run well, but we wouldn't be counting out this WOOTTON BASSETT colt who did well for 2nd last start in the Gr.3 Packer Plate (2000m) at Randwick after being checked awkwardly placed on heels and had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the home straight. Only won his maiden over 1350m at Wyong in Feb, however, developing into a nice staying type and looks much better on firm ground.

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CHAIRMAN'S HANDICAP G3

RACE 7 - 2000m

NELLIE LEYLAX / BELVEDERE BOYS / KIND WORDS

NELLIE LEYLAX looks very threatening as a progressive four-year-old making making a big step up from 3YO grade. But the imported CALYX gelding trained by team Archibald was quite impressive in England, although he is vastly superior on deep ground and would appreciate some rain. His form has been consistent, but all his form in Europe has been on bottomless ground so only worth considering if that track has some decent give in it. With rain forecast for the rest of the week, he may strike perfect conditions come race time.

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BELVEDERE BOYS went into his six-year-old season only lightly-raced with six wins and five placings in 23 starts and has found it a bit tough the last few despite running on without threatening. Chased hard but just missed in the McKell Cup (2000m) last season and did well to get close to NELLIE LEYLAX in the Premier Cup at Randwick over the same trip. Edged out in the PQ Cup, but drew wide in the Little Dance and it all got a bit tight. Won 2 from 3 at Doomben and will handle the heavy.

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Gr.3 Belle of the Turf victor KIND WORDS is a mare with a few “should haves” across her record and recent efforts since resuming haven't been that inspiring. Jumped ok in the Gr.3 Epona Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill, but only really held her ground. We've stuck by this Kris Lee WRITTEN TYCOON mare this prep expecting to see a bold performance at some stage after the two fine wins in December, and she just needs to find that X factor once again. Can perform in the wet and like these E/W odds.

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BERNBOROUGH HANDICAP (L)

RACE 5 - 1600m

WAR ETERNAL / WELWAL / KRONENBOURG

Quite like the Bjorn Baker-trained WAR ETERNAL on a wet track and we know the Kiwi handler holds this horse in high regard. The seven-year-old PIERRO gelding hasn't been too far away since February, finishing 4th in the James Ruse (1400m) at Rosehill running on strongly, 5th when blocked in the National Sprint at Canberra and 5th in the Muswellbrook Cup (1500m) when coming on late from well back. Scored a clear run home in the Hawkesbury Cup (1600m) at the latest and Baker may have the gelding at absolute peak for this. Drawn the ace, Purton aboard - right in this.

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WELWAL could be in the right condition to feature now after bagging a win in the Doncaster Prelude at Rosehill last start and he just kept going hard from the 200m once finding the front. The SHALAA gelding finished 3rd over 1400m when taken to Hobart by the Kent/Price Jnr team, before running 4th to GREEN FLY in the National Sprint in Canberra. The well-travelled gelding will gain the services of one James McDonald, and he doesn’t mind the sting out of the track. Well-supported in the market and likely to give it plenty.

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KRONENBOURG has been pretty good to us and often bobs up at nice odds. This is definitely harder than the last start victory in the Brisbane Handicap (1600m) at Eagle Farm. The VADAMOS fought tenaciously to the line and his record here at Doomben is even more impressive. Certainly, one of the most unpredictable horses in Queensland, but Tony Gollan knows how to get the best out of him, like when leading from the turn to hold them off here at Doomben over 1630m and he can handle it Heavy. Won 4 from 7 at the track/trip, so at these odds we won’t be passing him by with Zahra in the saddle.

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BRIGHT SHADOW (L)

RACE 6 - 1110m

NEPO BABY / GIVE GIGGLES / LONHRO’S QUEEN

A promising country-based filly with just a debut win under the belt is primed to catapult herself into the heart of the Brisbane Racing Carnival. NEPO BABY, a freewheeling three-year-old in the Annabel and Rob Archibald satellite stable finished 2nd to the impressive PLANTIFF in the PJ Bell at Randwick, then finished runner-up to BEADMAN in the Gold Coast Guineas. A daughter of Irish stallion LUCKY VEGA, Nepo Baby seems perfectly placed to claim a stakes win.

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The strong WAR DECREE mare GIVE GIGGLES was a model of consistency this time last year, going on to win three at Eagle Farm over 1200m coming through the grades. Found it a bit harder facing Stakes company over summer and battled, but this Tony Gollan trained mare did well to win last start at Eagle Farm and will now need to press her claim across the road at Doomben. Well-suited to the short course trip and only needs to put herself in the race early to be effective.

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Always liked the style of the Chris & Corey Munce-trained LONHRO’S QUEEN, who competed well last prep and could possibly measure up as a strong fresh up performer. The mare won over 1000m at Eagle Farm in November 2025, then ran MIDNIGHT IN TOYKO close in the Listed Tatt's Classic (1200m) here Doomben. Won the Magic Millions Nudgee Stakes at Eagle Farm in January but four-wide from a terrible gate at the Gold Coast and has been freshened. Could place at odds.

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QTIS 3YO PLATE

RACE 3 - 1350m

ESTREMO / BURMA STAR / AERODROME

If Chris Waller brings ESTREMO north we feel obligated to stick with the EXTREME CHOICE colt despite his last couple of disappointing runs. He won his first black type last September in the Gr.3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) before chasing hard for 3rd in the Tapp-Craig at Rosehill. Kept coming when finally clear resuming over 1200m at Randwick, then settled 10L off then at Hawkesbury last start and never really in it. Waller believes he is super talented and only needs a few things to fall his way to be effective. Has won only run in the Heavy, so definitely a solid win chance.

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The lightly raced BURMA STAR from the Waller stable has been a model of consistency and needs to be considered following a fine 2nd in the Gr.3 Hawkesbury Guineas behind SKYHOOK last start. The EXCEED AND EXCEL colt won his 3YO maiden over 1100m at Warwick Farm, then chased hard behind GOLDEN STRAAND over 1200m at Rosehill. Won powerfully at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day and came through the Cummings Godolphin system to join Waller, who was impressed with his education. Awkward gate but will appreciate a testing track with fitness on his side.

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AERODROME, a three-year-old OLE KIRK filly from the Michael Freedman barn fought them off from the 100m for a gutsy all the way victory in the Canberra Guineas (1400m) in March but was really poor in the Carbine Club at Randwick and didn’t offer a whimper. Caught wide going forward in the Gr.3 Gold Coast Guineas (1200m) last start and never stood a chance trapped out on a limb, although she tried hard and burnt out with the tough effort. Like to believe from this gate with a more settled steer we may see a better performance and an outside possibility of featuring.

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BEST BET: NEPO BABY

NEXT BEST: ESTREMO

BEST VALUE: SOLID GOLD

WILDCARD: PRIVATE HARRY