OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 10 - 1600m

CUNNAMULA FELLA / WARBY / YET HE MOVES

We've always had a soft spot for this strange fella, namely CUNNAMULA FELLA from the Heathcote stable. The BETTER THAN READY gelding turned around some mediocre form when chasing home DAGGERS here at Doomben before hitting the line and doing his best in the finals strides to win over 1630m on this course. Draw is a little awkward but drops 5.5kg which has him right in this contest.

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Why WARBY hasn't exploded after his bold 3rd behind WAR ETERNAL and YELLOW JERSEY in the Listed Wayne Wilson (1600m) is beyond us, although trapped out on a limb at Eagle Farm and slow away at Doomben in the next using up too much juice. 10 lengths off them at the 600m last start here and typically made up substantial ground late going back to 1400m. Back to the mile we could see the complete package but just cannot miss the kick again. Seriously due a winning turn.

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Waller has been running YET HE MOVES in QLD with minimal success of late, winning at Doomben over the mile way back in December, however this is his favourite track. Went down for the Hawkesbury Cup and did bugger all before a sound 3rd at Randwick, run down in the final stages by GOD'S WINDOW. Never in it the last few but faced stronger company then this and if this ADELAIDE gelding is ever going to fire, it could be here at big odds.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 85 HANDICAP

RACE 9 - 1350m

KINTYRE / NAILS MURPHY / SURPRISE HONEY

KINTYRE has been well off in all five runs since April and trainer Gary Portelli must be wracking his brain to try and find the missing piece of the puzzle. The six-year-old HALLOWED CROWN gelding won the Gr.2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm back in 2024 and 3rd in the Rough Habit. Took on the Epsom and Golden Eagle but last won at a Canberra Open Hcp after a long drought. Has ability so just needs more enthusiasm. Massive odds on offer and the big blowout.

☆☆☆☆

We've always believed NAILS MURPHY holds supreme ability and since coming north has rarely finished out of the money for trainer Ciaron Maher. Won two back-to-back at the Sunshine Coast to begin the year in fine style before two close up placings at Eagle Farm. Came back for one run in April and has trialed up twice in preparation for a return. Certainly, more a miler over a sprinter, although could be keen to go faster fresh up.

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SPACE TRACKER is an interesting Irish-bred gelding from the Team Archibald stable who is a fully unpredictable galloper but is typically never far off them at the line. Won here on a Soft 6 over 1350m in Nov, had a crack at Wyong and a 3rd at the Sunny before resuming in June. Found wanting in the three runs back but should be on the improve and trust this stable to get the best out of him on a firm deck.

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CLASS 6 PLATE

RACE 6 - 1110m

ZOUBABY / FLEETWOOD / MOULIN MISS

ZOUBABY grows another leg at Doomben, is in good touch so why would you run him anywhere else. The Gollan-trained mare fanned five-wide finishing 3rd here last start but round them up comfortably from a nice spot to win a C6 over 1100m on a firm deck. Really does need solid ground to skate across and the track should get back to a Good 4 as it played fast last week. Based on her course record and only slightly increase in weight we csn she her going very close once fully wound up.

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FLEETWOOD is another quality Gollan run who can be a touch unpredictable but is coming off a trial win following a 4th at Eagle Farm, and although close up in his past three runs this year, the ENCRYPTION gelding goes best on a firm track and really needs to be saved up for one late surge at the line. Like the draw and Maloney back on although this weight could be the burden that slows him. Still at fair odds and too talented to dismiss.

☆☆☆

MOULIN MISS was only half a length off FLEETWOOD in that Deagon trial three weeks back and the SPIRIT OF BOOM mare held on to win narrowly at Eagle Farm when last seen in July. Won here over 1100m in November 2025 coming home strongly, then again over 1000m at Eagle Farm taking over at the 250m. To be honest, from this inside gate she appears decent value if Emily Lang can map a path through late in the race based on her fine record at Doomben.

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BENCHMARK 80 HANDICAP

RACE 4 - 2200m

FERNAO / CORMAC T / CAPTAIN MAVERICK

FERNAO was going very strong races for the Archibald's in the autumn of 2025 and managed to win over 2400m at Sandown and Caulfield. Seemed fairly disinterested returning in the spring and fared no better with a run in Melbourne and another couple in Sydney. Nonetheless, the FRANKEL gelding was much better finishing 2nd at Doomben the last two after being locked away with nowhere to go and maybe the sun on his back has forced a change in attitude. Up to this as a fit horse and appears ready to win.

☆☆☆☆

Great move bringing CORMAC T north to compete in the staying event by Team Archibald even though he had all the favours and the 2200m contest was run to suit. Regardless, he will need to go forward again from the wide gate and settle near the leaders before powering up on straightening and this might not all go to plan unless the NATHANIEL gelding has a few things fall his way. Still, has fine ability and will give this a red hot go late.

☆☆☆

The early money is in CAPTAIN MAVERICK, but not even Chris Waller is that confident he can get the job done despite some close up efforts of late. Who's to say he isn't bluffing, as the FREE EAGLE gelding sat in the speed over 2400m, over-raced and lost a plate when 3rd. Ran down by TAPILDOODLEDO over 2200m the run prior but must be at peak fitness by now and from this inside gate should score some cover throughout. Looms as a major player but hard to get too excited about.

☆☆

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