Wednesday, 26 August 2026
No more jumps at this meeting today.
Punty's Punts
Race type: Maiden Plate, 1350m
Map & tempo: Slow pace, pace advantaged runners can save ground and still have a finish, but traffic is the real enemy
Punty read: This is a maiden where the leaders might get away with murder early, then the first time the field strings out you'll see who's actually got the engine. I'm all over No.3 Indamouse, because when they get into the groove it's the kind of race where a horse that's been interfering with results can finally race clean and just keep coming. It's Doomben, so late runs matter, but only if you're not stuck behind the drama train.
Top 3 are the ones that can handle the pace shape, and my roughie is a sneaky tongue tie angle that could lift if the favourites take each other on in the middle stages.
Top 3 + Roughie ($13.00 pool)
1. Indamouse (No.3) — $4.15 / $1.75 🏆 2ND
Bet $13.00 Each Way ($6.50W + $6.50P) — Cashed, net -$1.62
Prob 18.0% | Place: 53.8% | Value: 1.30x
Why Clean run is the difference today, and he looks like he can run on through the final third.
2. Emphatique (No.8) — $5.75 / $2.15 🏆 4TH
Bet Tracked
Prob 14.5% | Place: 36.6% | Value: 0.75x
Why The top pick's each-way already covers the place angle here — doubling up is paying twice for the same insurance. Tracked instead.
3. Welcome Advice (No.11) — $5.75 / $2.15 🏆 WINNER
Bet Tracked
Prob 13.0% | Place: 47.0% | Value: 0.90x
Why If the race splits late, he's the type that can slot in, but I'm not over-insuring it.
Roughie: St Andrews (No.7) — $9.00 / $2.85 🏆 7TH
Bet Tracked
Prob 8.7% | Place: 28.5% | Value: 0.59x
Why Tongue tie first time, and the way this tempo plays can set up a finishing burst for a wider pick.
Race type: Maiden Plate, 1350m
Map & tempo: Genuine pace, so the leaders aren't crawling, they're powering, which helps the ones sitting close
Punty read: This is a race where you want to be on the on-pace horses, because Doomben's straight makes it hard for pure hangers to grab glory late. No.8 Agadoo is the one, because it's got the profile to keep finding the next bit, even when the pace is real. If you've got a horse that can sit around the speed without getting bullied, it's got every chance to turn the trip into a sprint.
Indigo Star is next, the type who can be better than the eye test once the race tightens up. Bad Boss is there as a value poke only if the traffic and interference angles keep paying rent.
Top 3 + Roughie ($18.00 pool)
1. Agadoo (No.8) — $2.63 / $1.20 SCR
Bet Tracked — ⊘ Scratched · bet voided
Prob 32.6% | Place: 69.0% | Value: 1.15x
Why Pace it suits, market support it needs, and it should be in the finish without getting stuck wide.
2. Indigo Star (No.4) — $3.73 / $1.45 🏆 2ND
Bet $12.50 Win — ✗ Lost, net -$12.50
Prob 25.0% | Place: 69.0% | Value: 1.22x
Why Blinkers off again is a clue they're hunting the run, and he's the sort to run into the money.
3. Bad Boss (No.1) — $5.50 / $1.72 🏆 WINNER
Bet $5.50 Place — ✓ Won, net +$3.96
Prob 13.5% | Place: 68.6% | Value: 0.89x
Why I respect the form excuses, but he's not my main target to win, only to potentially fill.
Roughie: Wee Winn (No.11) — $13.00 / $3.10 🏆 4TH
Bet Tracked
Prob 4.7% | Place: 21.7% | Value: 0.85x
Why Third line of the market is where place bets go to die slowly — the ledger says so at every price. He carries the exotics and the watch list, not the bankroll.
Race type: Maiden Plate, 1200m
Map & tempo: Slow pace, so the first real move decides everything, and horses who can quicken without needing space win
Punty read: This looks like a race where the right horse can straight-up steal it, because the tempo is soft enough for a confident rider to find position early and not panic. No.2 Compel is the one I want, because it's not about being brilliant, it's about being in the right spot and letting the others hang themselves trying to get clear.
Summer Sensation is in the mix too, she's got the profile for a place, and Win Star is the sort you include when the market says "here we go" and you want coverage across the finish.
Top 3 + Roughie ($24.00 pool)
1. Compel (No.2) — $3.23 / $1.40 🏆 WINNER
Bet $20.00 Win — ✓ Won, net +$44.60
Prob 26.8% | Place: 69.0% | Value: 1.00x
Why Slow pace, short turn, he should get a rhythm, and that's usually all you need at 1200m when they bunch up.
2. Summer Sensation (No.11) — $3.90 / $1.60 🏆 5TH
Bet $4.00 Place — ✗ Lost, net -$4.00
Prob 19.9% | Place: 69.0% | Value: 0.68x
Why She's built to hit the line from near the speed, and you get a place price that isn't offensive.
3. Win Star (No.12) — $5.05 / $1.75 🏆 3RD
Bet Tracked
Prob 14.8% | Place: 58.4% | Value: 0.65x
Why She can absolutely fill, but she's a step behind my top two on race shape.
Roughie: Easy Feeling (No.3) — $12.25 / $3.20 🏆 10TH
Bet Tracked
Prob 7.8% | Place: 29.0% | Value: 1.22x
Why Ear muffs and tongue tie first time type, if she jumps and can quicken early, she can steal a slice.
Race type: Maiden Plate, 1200m
Map & tempo: Genuine pace, so the leaders are a real problem, but the correct stalkers can still lift in the straight
Punty read: 1200m at Doomben is where "position" turns into profit. No.11 Weownachevy maps to the speed and looks like the kind that can keep rolling instead of folding when the field pressures. If this race stays genuine, it's her race to lose.
Vukas is next, and he's the ideal sort of danger, because the price says he's not the main threat, but the running style says he's a threat anyway. Captain Blood is a bit of a value contrast, I like him as a third in the order, but I'm not blind backing him to win.
Top 3 + Roughie ($24.00 pool)
★ PUNTY'S PICK 1. Weownachevy (No.11) — $1.80 / $1.09 🏆 5TH
Bet $17.50 Win — ✗ Lost, net -$17.50
Prob 41.1% | Place: 69.0% | Value: 1.16x
Why On-pace profile on Doomben, and she's too hard to drop off when the tempo is genuine.
2. Vukas (No.10) — $5.15 / $1.65 🏆 9TH
Bet $6.50 Place — ✗ Lost, net -$6.50
Prob 16.5% | Place: 69.0% | Value: 1.06x
Why He can sit handy and then take the lane in the straight, the sort of horse that makes short fields feel bigger.
3. Captain Blood (No.3) — $7.25 / $2.05 🏆 7TH
Bet Tracked
Prob 14.1% | Place: 47.0% | Value: 1.49x
Why Ear muffs and gelded first time type, could improve sharply, but it's not my win bet.
Roughie: Crazy Eights (No.5) — $14.25 / $3.10 🏆 2ND
Bet Tracked
Prob 6.9% | Place: 34.1% | Value: 1.24x
Why Tongue tie first time can spark a late finish if the leaders go too hard.
Race type: Class 1, 1110m
Map & tempo: Hot pace, so you either be on it or you be closing, there is no cruising at 1110
Punty read: This is a sharp little sprint where the leaders get tested and the field splits fast. No.13 Cryptic Beauty is the one I want, because she's got the early speed to be involved and the finishing gears to keep kicking when the pace gets nasty. That blinkers off first time is a classic "fix the focus" move, and the market rate is backing it too.
Quickzou is next, he's got the "I'll be there" energy and can make this look easy. Dyami is the other value angle, but I'm treating Mimi's as the roughie option if the tempo actually collapses.
Top 3 + Roughie ($19.00 pool)
1. Cryptic Beauty (No.13) — $4.70 / $1.75 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet $14.00 Win — ✗ Lost, net -$14.00
Prob 21.6% | Place: 64.0% | Value: 1.28x
Why Blinkers off first time, and she's got enough early punch to not get trapped wide late.
2. Quickzou (No.3) — $5.25 / $1.85 🏆 4TH
Bet $5.00 Place — ✗ Lost, net -$5.00
Prob 15.1% | Place: 52.0% | Value: 0.99x
Why Tongue control and lugging bit off, winkers off, it's a gear reset, and he should be running on.
3. Dyami (No.1) — $7.15 / $2.50 🏆 3RD
Bet Tracked
Prob 14.5% | Place: 38.4% | Value: 1.30x
Why He can win if the race doesn't chew everyone up, but I'm not gambling the win on a price.
Roughie: Mimi's (No.7) — $9.05 / $2.80 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet Tracked
Prob 8.5% | Place: 29.4% | Value: 0.96x
Why If they go hard and start fading early, she can slot into the right gap and grab a slice.
Race type: Class 5 Handicap, 1660m
Map & tempo: Moderate pace, middle distance, so you want the one who can keep grinding without losing position
Punty read: 1660m at Doomben is basically a test of who can maintain rhythm while everyone else is still trying to find the perfect spot. No.2 Gorbachev should get a run close enough to the pace to not lose the race. He's the type that keeps working when the others start softening.
Bluepinot and Lovey Dovey are the battlers, they can hit the line and wear you down, which is perfect for this sort of handicap where the finish is sneaky.
Top 3 + Roughie ($19.00 pool)
1. Gorbachev (No.2) — $3.78 / $1.60 🏆 6TH
Bet $14.00 Win — ✗ Lost, net -$14.00
Prob 22.1% | Place: 68.9% | Value: 1.04x
Why On-pace enough to stay in play, and the track should suit his sustained style.
2. Bluepinot (No.5) — $4.75 / $1.70 🏆 2ND
Bet $5.00 Place — ✓ Won, net +$3.50
Prob 19.1% | Place: 56.2% | Value: 1.12x
Why Winkers back on, and he's the sort to keep coming late without needing miracles.
3. Lovey Dovey (No.6) — $5.05 / $1.75 🏆 4TH
Bet Tracked
Prob 18.0% | Place: 47.4% | Value: 1.13x
Why He's a genuine contender but I'm using him as a race-shape protector around the main play.
Roughie: Vixenette (No.9) — $11.75 / $3.30 🏆 9TH
Bet Tracked
Prob 7.1% | Place: 23.4% | Value: 1.04x
Why Backmarker who can still ping if the leaders get stitched up in traffic.
Race type: Class 3 Handicap, 1200m
Map & tempo: Moderate pace, so you need tactical speed, not just raw ability
Punty read: This is a handy 1200 where the good horses get to be annoying. No.2 Dark Arts is my top pick because it sits in the right zone, it's got enough early zip, and it's usually there when others start making mistakes. Amuseantes is value on the place side, and Miss Funny Honey is the kind of outsider who can grab a slice if luck and lanes line up.
Roughie Duke Of Camden is the value threat if the race turns into a sprint contest rather than a tactical chess game.
Top 3 + Roughie ($17.50 pool)
1. Dark Arts (No.2) — $3.00 / $1.45 🏆 3RD
Bet $13.50 Win — ✗ Lost, net -$13.50
Prob 25.2% | Place: 69.0% | Value: 0.96x
Why On-pace and proven on this sort of map, he should be hard to run down once balanced.
2. Amuseantes (No.4) — $3.95 / $1.65 🏆 WINNER
Bet $4.00 Place — ✓ Won, net +$2.60
Prob 23.7% | Place: 69.0% | Value: 1.19x
Why Better as the race sharpens, and the on-speed style means he's not reliant on finding a miracle gap.
3. Miss Funny Honey (No.10) — $7.05 / $2.55 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet Tracked
Prob 13.0% | Place: 56.2% | Value: 1.16x
Why She can run into the placings, but I'm not paying for it with the win.
Roughie: Duke Of Camden (No.5) — $10.40 / $3.00 🏆 4TH
Bet Tracked
Prob 7.4% | Place: 29.0% | Value: 0.97x
Why Stays in the mix and gets a chance to muscle through late if the pace scenario suits.
Race type: Benchmark 68, 1350m
Map & tempo: Moderate pace, and 1350 at Doomben means lanes and patience, the straight does the rest
Punty read: This is a race where the place money could do a lot of work, because the field should bunch up and then sort itself out late. No.8 Hurricane Lu is my win bet because it's got the right kind of running style for this tempo, and it's value compared to what you'd expect from a horse with that place profile.
Too Darn Finesse is my third angle, he can be there when the others overcook it, and Rimbaud is always in danger if he gets a clean run behind the speed.
Top 3 + Roughie ($22.00 pool)
1. Hurricane Lu (No.8) — $4.25 / $1.70 🏆 WINNER
Bet $17.00 Win — ✓ Won, net +$55.25
Prob 23.0% | Place: 61.9% | Value: 1.23x
Why Backmarker who can still get the job done in a race that shouldn't totally collapse.
2. Rimbaud (No.2) — $5.50 / $2.05 🏆 2ND
Bet $5.00 Place — ✓ Won, net +$5.25
Prob 15.1% | Place: 53.8% | Value: 1.04x
Why If the pace is moderate like it looks, he should get the run and be there at the business end.
3. Too Darn Finesse (No.11) — $6.10 / $2.30 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet Tracked
Prob 14.6% | Place: 53.9% | Value: 1.12x
Why He's worth monitoring, but I'm not forcing the win when the lane is everything.
Roughie: Kundabung (No.16) — $9.40 / $2.90 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet Tracked
Prob 8.7% | Place: 31.1% | Value: 1.02x
Why Wide roughie path, needs the leaders to hit the skids early and give him a chance to weave through.
That's the ticket as I struck it — the legs below are exactly what ran, no rewriting history.
Smart: 3,11,8,7 / 8,4,1 / 2,11,12,3 / 11,10,6,3,5 (240 combos x $0.15 = $36.00) -- 15% flexi
That's the ticket as I struck it — the legs below are exactly what ran, no rewriting history.
Smart: 13,3,1,7 / 2,5,6,9 / 2,4,10,5 / 8,11,2,16 (256 combos x $0.20 = $51.20) -- 20% flexi
That's the ticket as I struck it — the legs below are exactly what ran, no rewriting history.
Smart: 2 / 11 / 13 / 2 / 2 / 8 (1 combos x $2.00 = $2.00) -- 200% flexi
The day's multi leans on three win legs across the card.
1 - Indamouse (Race 1, No.3)✗ — $4.15
2 - Agadoo (Race 2, No.8) — $2.63
3 - Compel (Race 3, No.2)✓ Won — $3.23
Meeting Stats
Selections
Punty's Early Mail
Rightio Loose Units, Doomben on a Good 4 with the rail +11m and a shower threat floating around like a bad smell in a pub bathroom, it's that sort of day where the whole field pretends they can run for 1200 seconds, then the real ones start doing the job. The straight is getting a touch of tailwind help, so the closers can lift a gear and the speed doesn't get to just cruise and pose for photos.
We've got a card built for stalking, quick decisions, and a few lads who'll absolutely nick the race off a soft cart. My spine is three horses who look ready to do exactly what you want at Doomben, then we've got a mix of value and "go on, have a crack" energy spread through the races so you're not married to chalk all day.
And yeah, there will be chaos. Because it's Doomben, and because you lot love making life hard for yourselves.
MEET SNAPSHOT
Track: Doomben, 1200-1660m card
Rail: +11m Entire
Official going: Good 4 (expected to play True Middle, some give for late swoops)
Weather: Shower or two, 20°C, humidity 76%, light wind (watch for rain late), with light gusts
Early lane guess: Balanced to Slightly Wide, but the rail riders can still get involved
Tempo profile: Generally honest pace, with tailwind straight, so speed holds more than usual, closers still get a lane
Jockeys to follow:
Michael Rodd: sharp finisher type, already finding his way into races that look "too hard"
Ryan Maloney: gets them positioned early and then makes it look simple late
Jace McMurray: handles Doomben like it owes him money, and he's good at finding the run
Stables to respect:
T J Gollan (8 runners): tends to have them game and ready, especially when the class label is just a suggestion
C J Waller (5 runners): if they're in the market, they're there to earn it, not to make up the numbers
Barry Lockwood & Emma-Jane Vincent (4 runners): their horses often improve through the prep, and they handle local conditions well
Punty's take:
Doomben is doing that thing where it looks like a speed track, then halfway down the straight you realise the leaders are actually working hard. That +11m rail is giving everyone a bit of a "use the track" tax, but it also means if you're off the right ground early, you can cop traffic and pay for it all the way to the line.
The big clue today is the setup, slowish in a few early maidens, then the later grades are genuinely set up for smart stalking and quick acceleration. If the pace is honest in your race, you take the leaders seriously, and if the pace is hot, you back the one who can sit close without being stranded wide.
On the market side, there's firming in a bunch of shorter priced chances. When that happens, I generally like to lean into the win rather than treating them like passengers. But I'm still grabbing value where the drift is big and the form lines up, because that's how you stop chalk from stealing your bank.
What it means for you:
Bet smarter, not louder. In the early races, you want runners that can keep momentum, not horses that need everything perfect. That's why my opening bet is about a horse that looks like it can actually hit the ground running and land in the right part of the track.
For the middle races, you're playing for tempo advantage. If a horse maps closer to the leaders, it's got a better chance of getting the sit and the lane, especially on a day where the straight wind helps keep sprint efforts alive. Your roughie plays are there for the "if the speed gives up" scenario, not because I'm bored.
Finally, sequences are fun today, but I'm not pretending it's a money-printing machine. You're getting coverage where the legs are open, and you're letting the tighter legs do the heavy lifting.