THE Listed Tattersall’s Mile (1600m) is the feature event on Saturday’s Doomben card and early betting suggests the race is all but a two-horse affair.
At best available odds at time of writing, Crack Me Up ($2.35) and Sheiswhatsheis ($3.00) accounted for 75% of the early market.
Both come into the race off strong mile wins – but is there any value to be found outside them?
SPEED MAP
The mare Sheiswhatsheis looks likely to secure the lead from the tricky 1600m start at Doomben, but may face some competition if Cruising Speed kicks up from the inside alley. Crack Me Up jumps from the outside gate and his position depends on how hard the others go – he could end up outside the leader or settle behind the pair above.
KEY CONTENDERS
1. Colour Charge ($10): Won the Rockhampton Cup last start and loves this distance range, but evidence suggests he prefers bigger tracks. Can run into the placings.
2. Sheiswhatsheis ($3.00): Off an eight-week freshen she bolted in at this track and trip last time out. But the query is how easy a time she had in front – she may not get that here if Cruising Speed hunts up on the rail. Despite carrying an extra 5kgs, she will likely look the winner at some stage.
3. Crack Me Up ($2.35): Brings excellent form and a solid fitness platform into this event. Two starts back he was second to Religify at this track and distance, before taking out the Group 3 Sunshine Coast Guineas three weeks ago. He worked hard to lead, was under pressure but kicked away for a strong win. The outside alley was tricky but if he finds cover in the second or third pair will be hard to hold out.
4. Pindan Pearl: An honest mare, but one who is struggling to win. This race is one final throw at the stumps before a trip to the breeding barn and she looks a place chance only.
5. Cruising Speed: Tackles 1600m for the first time after some solid efforts this prep. Won here two back over 1350m, then was badly hampered and untested last start. Picked up nicely again to pass tired horses late and may be a rough chance in this.
6. Spur Le Jouer: Has produced three good runs in lower grade at the Sunshine Coast. A get-back type, the Doomben 1600m doesn’t suit and he should find this too hard.
7. Chandana: Former Waller-trained mare now with Matthew Dunn at Murwillumbah. Produced a solid but unthreatening effort first up and she looks like having too much to do from the back here.
9. Madam De Ban: Ready to peak third up, she looks the one the market may have missed in early betting. Her Highway/Country Championship form in NSW last prep looks a tier below but strong efforts in Queensland City grade this prep have her right up there. She’ll be just off the speed and ready to strike if they go too hard.
8. Glendara, 10. Cashing Up & 11. High Degree: All look out-classed in this.
$100 BETTING STRATEGY
Crack Me Up is slowly getting out to its right price and is worth a substantial best of four bet here. Sheiswhatsheis has a couple of key negatives against and with that in mind, we’ll pass on her here. The two to spec at odds are Cruising Speed and Madam De Ban who will both assume strong positions in the run.
CRACK ME UP $70 @ Best Of Best
CRUISING SPEED $20 @ $10 Ladbrokes
MADAM DE BAN $10 @ $23 Various