KEITH NOUD (L)

RACE 7 - 1200m

EPIC PROPORTIONS / OUGHTON / ROCKRIBBED

EPIC PROPORTIONS has been running well for Ciaron Maher up here in Queensland metro grade, and his last two runs since winning impressively at Caulfield with a big weight have been positive. Ran on in his first run at Doomben before running them ragged when let go at the 300m mark on the course. Clever strategy to bring the horse north again to face easier competition and better tracks after winning at the Farm last spring. Good effort behind BOOMTOWN BOSS over 1200m at Eagle Farm last start, but the was a rock hard cricket pitch, which didn't help many. Seems to prefer it here and strike rate is first class, so every opportunity to dominate and punch out another epic performance.

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We don't think you can put a line through OUGHTON here as a strong type with a fantastic distance record. He experienced a successful career in Hong Kong after only four Australian starts, then returned home to the Melissa Kelly stable on the Gold Coast. Won here at Ipswich over 1350m 12 months ago after running home well, then went on to win the Listed Recognition Stakes at Doomben in November. Only a couple of runs back from a break and he did run on nicely for 5th in the Moreton Cup last start. Appears a major threat to the favourite jumping from this gate but a big task all the same.

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ROCKRIBBED is a top sprinter from the Gollan yard who goes particularly well fresh up and the trainer is renowned for prepping his sprinters well forward. The eight-year-old NIGHT OF THUNDER gelding is getting on in years, but did well to win the Australian Turf club trophy at the Goldie in May, so expect him to have a spring in his step coming back to the track. Won at Eagle Farm comfortably the run prior and he has dished it up late in his career with a fair amount of credibility. Could be worth trying to catch while in a fresh state and certainly not out of this.

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BENCHMARK 90 HANDICAP

RACE 2 - 2000m

NIKAU SPUR / TAPILDOODLEDOO / NAVAL COMMISSION

Trainer Corey Geran sees the Beauford as a nice race for his nine-year-old PROISIR gelding NIKAU SPUR, and the old boy looks to have a bit of fight left in him as a gritty stayer. Chased hard to win the Beauford twelve months ago, carrying 54.5kg, then ran 3rd in the Christmas Cup (2400m) at Randwick. A 3rd placing in the Gr.3 QEII Cup (2400m) was his best result in seven starts in the winter, although he wasn't exactly terrible when 3rd at Toowoomba after drawing wide and making a run around them, before a 4th in the Queensland Cup a month back. Sure to be suitably fit to face this trip and age hasn't wearied him towards retirement just yet as the reigning Toowoomba horse of the year. 3rd to the dual Big Dance victor GRINGOTTS and Melbourne Cup winner KNIGHTS CHOICE over the mile here last season, so willing to suggest he can go a big one on Saturday, although a Good track will be necessary.

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The grand campaigner TAPILDOODLEDOO just keeps going around and producing sound runs over middle distance, and although no superstar, they don't come much more genuine. 3rd here over 2000m in August, then not so prominent at the sunny Gold Coast or Toowoomba. Ended up leading from the 800m in the Listed Queensland Cup (2400m), only to fight on into 3rd place. Tried to go on with it when 4th over 2406m returning to Eagle Farm, but fitness shouldn't be an issue coming back in trip.

CLASS 6 HANDICAP

RACE 6 - 1600m

FREE CARRY / OCEAN ZAR / LAST CHANCE SALOON

We'll stick by FREE CARRY here who has progressed nicely this prep after winning at Ipswich and Doomben early in 2025. Drew away to claim a smooth victory over 1400m at Eagle Farm freah up, before being run down late over 1630m on this course. Awkward run at Toowoomba in the next, but bounced back to finish 2nd at Doomben over the mile with similar, catch me if you can tactics. Three weeks between runs, so possibly in fine condition to face the mile again here, although needs to find that extra kick over the final 150m. Will likely go very close. Gollan obviously sees him as more a classic, miler, but he'll want to keep some juice in the tank turning for home.

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Can't find too much to dislike about OCEAN ZAR, the ZOUSTAR gelding trained by Matt Hoysted at Eagle Farm. Finished 2nd here at the beginning of the year before finishing 3rd at Doomben over 1350m and 1630m in August a, then badly checked last start d September. Ran on best to win a Class 5 Handicap at Eagle Farm in the next, then badly checked last start suffering abrasions to the near for fetlock and really taking no part. Time to get over that incident, so look for a strong effort at the mile with better luck in the running.

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The Toowoomba based gelding LAST CHANCE SALOON trained by the Geran's is a sound performer on his day and isn't too badly placed here. Wide and back last start so easy to forgive, however produced a nice run to win over 1500m at Warwick the run prior and wasn't too shabby running on for 2nd at Toowoomba over 1300m. Finished 2nd at Eagle Farm behind WALSH BAY after tightened for room, so he can foot it in the city. Won two at Toowoomba over 1300m before that and just needs to bring that same level of determination. Can place.

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CLASS 6 PLATE

RACE 10 - 1200m

CASPERNOVA / OUROBOROS / TOWN CRIER

The Robert Heathcote trained gelding CASPERNOVA returned to winning form here at Doomben after running in best over 1200m, and this SPIRIT OF BOOM sprinter was ripping it up over the winter period. Can handle it wet or dry, as proven when winning two at Eagle Farm and another at Doomben early in the year, so his ability isn't in doubt. Has mixed it with some pretty handy QLD sprinters this term and really wouldn't need to improve much to deliver a repeat performance.

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In s similar vain, OUROBOROS has been a dominant force over the short course distance since coming north to the Hoysted stables, with powerful wins up to 1200m. Drew away to win easily at Eagle Farm in August and war runner-up twice at Doomben either side of that. Held them all off back to his favoured Farm in October and has trialled up effectively since then. Possibly more of the same to come and living his best life up here in Queensland.

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TOWN CRIER is another Hoysted special by SPIRIT OF BOOM, who hasn't been up that long and resumed with three solid runs before taking the lead over 1200m at Eagle Farm to deliver a fine on-pace victory. Most importantly, Doomben is his go too track, winning here in February and March, then a Gold Coast victory, before a 3rd back at Doomben in April. Seems highly adept and comfortable jumping forward on the speed and thats where he will be best suited here running freely out near the front. Can get it done again with a month between runs.

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BEST BET: EPIC PROPORTIONS

NEXT BEST: OUROBOROS

BEST VALUE: NIKAU SPUR

WILDCARD: OUGHTON