DOOMBEN, DEC 14: DAVID FOWLER SELECTS ...

By David Fowler | Saturday, December 14, 2013

Form assessed for a good 3.

RACE 1:

SECRET GARDEN (8) is an above-average mare who will appreciate getting out to this distance. Bernborough run was fair but significant blinkers go on today. The $6.50 fixed looks OK to me. TRAJET (4) has won his past 2 city runs and will run well again while a good performance can be expected from POSTE RESTANTE (1) after she lost the jockey at the jump last start. Rough chances 3 and 6.

RACE 2:

ALL TAKEN (6) has improved in his past 2 runs incl a game EF 3rd 3 weeks ago when taken on and responded gamely. Should dictate terms here for a long way and $8 eachway fixed appeals. VENTURE ON (1) and TOP RADA (2) quinelled a similar race here a fortnight ago and will be in the finish again. Rough chances 3 and 5.

RACE 3:

VIENNA ROYALE (1) spaced them on debut and should win again but I can't get that wide barrier (10) out of my head. Very hard to win off a wide trap from this start. In his favour there doesn't look a lot of depth in the race. ELJETEM (2) will take improvement from his 1st start 2nd when he made up many lengths. FLYING LUCKY (1) is a 1st starter and a place hope. Rough chances 5, 8 and 11.

RACE 4:

OAKLEIGH GIRL (1) was impressive at Flemington on debut and should repeat from a good barrier. ELITIST (7) has the natural speed to overcome the gate and was good on debut EF 3rd. Quinella hope. TOTALLY SURE (2) ran well both runs in spring and blinkers today. Rough chances 3, 6 and 10.

RACE 5:

GOLD EPONA (5) is going well enough in handy Sydney Saturday races to give this a real shake. Settles midfield and will find the line. The $8 fixed eachway is good value. DIVINE CITY (4) doesn't know how to run a bad race and will run well here. ANNA LIZZIE (9) is a backmarker but a powerful finisher and good fresh. Rough chances 1, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 14.

RACE 6:

SOMEDAY (2) and FILLYDELPHIA (1) stand out from their rivals and a better alley has shifted me towards SOMEDAY. A fair margin to the next pick BLACK CASH (4). Rough chances 8, 9, 10 and 12.

RACE 7:

There is a real groundswell developing for INTO THE RED (6) after his big D'bn 2nd 2 weeks ago when he drew widely and tried to sustain a long run before just missing out. Fitter now and better drawn. The $2.8 fixed in top shelf. Doubt it will get longer. Liked ARCHITECT's (1) 1st-up midweek win at Doomben when produced fast sectionals. Can run well again. We were all over RUDY (4) when he won a fortnight ago but not as well suited now. Place. Rough chances 5, 12 and 14.

RACE 8:

REGULAR (3) is a professional type who runs well fresh and had a recent trial at Deagon. Gets all the favours from the good alley and does run well this track. The $4.5 fixed seems value to me. STRADON (14) has only won 1 from 13 but has run several good races. MERRYANNA (12) will get a perfect trip from its good gate and is a winning possibility. Rough chances 1, 7, 8, 10, 11 and 13.

BEST BET: INTO THE RED (Race 7).

BEST EACHWAY: GOLD EPONA (Race 5).

BEST ROUGHIE: DOLPHUS (Race 5).

QUADRELLA: 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 14 / 1, 2 / 1, 4, 6 / 3, 12, 14.

David Fowler