WINNO'S WINNERS: DOOMBEN 10 000 DAY

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, May 14, 2026

DOOMBEN races this week with nine races scheduled for decision on Doomben … a Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival race-day featuring the LADBROKES DOOMBEN 10,000.

The track is rated ‘Heavy’ at the time of writing. The rail is in the true position. There is overcast weather and rain forecast – the track should be soft or at least rain affected going into the meeting.

NB: As these selections were made prior to race-day, please check for any changes to track conditions and for any scratchings on the day.

Race 1

A Class 6 race over 1350 metres to kick off.

I suppose we were all waiting for the clash of James McDonald, the current Longines World’s Best Jockey … and Hong Kong's record breaking champion Zac Purton, and I think it goes down right here in the first race.

Purton will ride the Robert Heathcote trained Cosmo Centaurus (4) who is looking for a hat trick of wins. He has solid wet weather form and looks well placed.

Midnight Dynamite (2) is looking to explode and also post three wins in a row. Trained by Bjorn Baker with James McDonald to ride, he is second up here, has drawn barrier 1 and will race on the speed throughout.

We get to see two superb jockeys go toe to toe here in the first race.

Boys Night Out (3), trained by Matthew Dunn and Nash Rawiller aboard, could also be a factor. He should not be overlooked.

Selections:

4 – Cosmo Centaurus
2 – Midnight Dynamite
3 – Boys Night Out
7 – True To Form
Rough chance – (1) Bunker Hut

Race 2

A BM85 class race over 1600 metres.

Selections:

12 – Éclair Awesome
13 – Diamond Epic
14 – Our Queen
18 – Kaluakoi
Rough chances – (8) Walking Painting & (11) Perfect Play

Race 3

A three-year-old race over 1350 metres.

Selections:

1 – Burma Star
3 – Fabulantes
2 – Hidden Achievement
4 – Estremo
Rough chance – (7) Kohler Kid

Race 4 SEVEN SPIRIT OF BOOM CLASSIC – GROUP 2

A two-year-old race over 1200 metres at Group 2 level.

Selections:

10 – Double Cool
9 – Dream Roca
2 – Martist
3 – Vantorix
Rough chance – (11) Esperanza

Race 5 SKY RACING BERNBOROUGH – LISTED

An Open class race over 1600 metres at Listed level.

Selections:

13 – Blindedbythelight
8 – Cote Atlantique
4 – Amor Victorious
2 – Welwel
Rough chances – (6) Cristal Clear & (15) Viking Invasion

Race 6 MAGIC MILLIONS BRIGHT SHADOW – LISTED

First leg of the Quaddie. A Listed race over 1110 metres.

Selections:

2 – The Black Cloud
11 – Nepo Baby
3 – Austmarr
6 – Lonhro’s Queen
Rough chance – (17) Ready To Schipp & (16) Savagery Vibe

Race 7 JRA’s CHAIRMAN HANDICAP – GROUP 3

A Group 3 race over 2000 metres. First leg of the Treble.

Selections:

2 – Middle Earth
15 – So You Are
8 – Nellie Laylax
9 – Walsh Bay
Rough chance – (7) Encoder

Race 8 LADBROKES DOOMBEN 10 000 – GROUP 1

The feature race is over 1200 metres at Group 1 level. The largest field in recent years and all runners have solid chances.

Cairon Maher won the 10 000 in 2024 with the super mare Bella Nipotina. He has a solid representation this year with three runners. They all have genuine chances as well.

Jimmystarr (1) has been brought into the race after originally a plan was hatched to start him in the Kingsford Smith at Eagle Farm in two weeks time. Maher has openly said that the horse has done so well since his effort in the All Aged Stakes (Group 1) at Randwick a month ago, prompting the change in schedule. I think his sweet spot is more like 1300 metres and he is wonderfully placed here – but we may see him climbing over the back of them late. Ethan Brown has been released by the HJKC to partner him again. Eleven rides – 4 wins and 4 placings – they do form a formidable combination.

The stable-mate Warnie (8 is first up here with Mark Zahra to ride. He has a 100% strike rate on this runner – 1 ride – 1 win – that was in Group 2 at Flemington in 2025. Warnie was first up after 20 weeks in his first up in the Victory Stakes (Group 2) a fortnight ago. On that occasion he started to make a strong run into the straight and was hampered throughout the final 300 metres, yet he still ran a gallant third. I just think from barrier 9 and with a positive ride and a wet track this runner could cause a major upset in the feature race.

Payline (10) is trained by Munce Racing and is third up with Kyle Wilson Taylor aboard. His form on wet ground is superb and his record third up is also excellent with five starts for two wins and two placings. There is one glaring issue this weekend as he is drawn barrier 16 and I just hope that he doesn't get pratted 3 or 4 wide throughout the running. If he can get any luck and get some cover early in the race, he will be finishing off very strongly and might be very hard to hold out.

Grafterburners (12) is another local runner, trained by Kelly Schweida with Zac Purton to ride. He is only a three-year-old and they do have a solid record in this race. His first up effort in the Group 2 Arrowfield Stakes at Randwick was eye-catching. Since then, he has been freshened and had a recent barrier trial where he performed very well. He has always demonstrated some promise throughout his career and this is the weekend where he can stand up and be counted. Purton will be looking to notch another Group 1 winner in his hit and run mission.

Devil Night (11) is trained by the Hawkes team with Ben Melham riding. This is the 2025 Group 1 Blue Diamond winner who has plenty of ability and just needs some luck in the running. Barrier 8 is ideal so he can take up a place on the speed. People will look at his form guide and see that there is no documented evidence of success on wet tracks however if you go through his trial form and at jump outs he is performed exceptionally well on soft and heavy surfaces and I think that this will be to his advantage this weekend.

Beadman (17) is on the quick back up from winning the Gold Coast Guineas (Group 3) last weekend. Tim Clark takes over the ride. There is some thought that he only performs well at the Gold Coast track – well, he has his chance to blow that theory out of the water this weekend.

Napoleonic (18) has made the field with some early scratchings for Tom Charlton. James McDonald will have the ride. Interesting stats – J MAC has sat on him three times – for three wins! His recent trials have been solid in the lead up to this race – first up after a ten week freshen up. I just do not know how good he is contesting a Group 1 race. He should handle a wet track as well.

I think it will be a rough result – I am steering clear of the favourites for the race!

Selections:

8 – Warnie
10 – Payline
1 – Jimmystarr
18 – Napoleonic
Rough chances – (12) Grafterburners & (11) Devil Night & (17) Beadman

Race 9 HJKC WORLD POOL ROUGH HABIT PLATE – GROUP 3

A Group 3 race over 2000 metres. A World Pool race was well – lots of money will be invested here!

Providence (2) is a runner for the Chris Waller and James McDonald combination. A solid effort in the Packer Plate (Group 3) when he finished a great second. He settled midfield and worked home strongly – will be powering home here.

Soverato (15) is a Waller stable mate with Kyle Wilson Taylor to ride. Her last start was in the ATC Oaks (Group 1) over 2400 metres. Her effort prior to that in the Adrian Knox Stakes (Group 3) over 2000 metres was a great - running second – and she may be better placed at the shorter distance.

Solid Gold (16) is a visiting filly Kiwi – trained by Roger James & Robert Wellwood with Tommy Berry in the saddle. She has good form in the wet – and has a solid sprint late – looks well placed. She has drawn barrier 17 though, but she will race forward and be right in the race late. Solid each way price at $10.

Accidental Bid (8) is another Ciaron Maher runner with John Allen to ride. A new talent on the scene with two enormous wins – BUT in restricted grades. He has drawn wide in barrier 18 – will need some luck.

Rough chances to Osheamus (6) and Falcon Lair (12).

Selections:

16 – Solid Gold
2 – Providence
15 – Soverato
8 – Accidental Bid
Rough chance – (6) Osheamus & (12) Falcon Lair
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Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

12,13,14,18 / 1,2,3 / 2,3,9,10 / 2,4,8,13 - cost is $192 to $1.

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

12,13 / 1,3 / 2,9,10 / 4,8,13 - cost is $36 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

2,3,11 / 2,8,9,15 / 1,8,10,12,18 / 2,8,15,16 - cost is $240 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

2,11 / 2,15 / 1,8,10 / 2,15,16 - cost is $36 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

2,8,9,15 /1,8,10,12,18 / 2,8,15,16 - cost is $80 to $1.

Jockey Challenge

Looks like a race between Zac Purton, James McDonald, Ben Thompson, Nash Rawiller and Ethan Brown. It could be a draw between McDonald & Purton.

WEEKEND UPDATE

I will post some late mail this weekend. Be sure to check the up to date and amended tips each Saturday morning on Facebook after any track changes and scratchings!

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