Doomben hosts a 10-race program on Saturday, October 17, with the Queensland metropolitan meeting featuring a mix of progressive gallopers and established performers across the card.
Several runners bring strong recent Brisbane form into the meeting, while others look well placed to improve with race fitness and favourable changes in grade.
Doomben Tips October 17
Become A BRC Member QTIS 3YO Handicap Tips (Race 1)
Doomben Favourite - Race 1 No. 1 Apostle
It's difficult to find a reason to oppose Apostle in Saturday's Doomben opener, with the Pat Webster-trained three-year-old boasting a solid fitness base after three spring appearances, the latest two resulting in runner-up finishes against stronger opposition.
The first of those came in the Toowoomba Guineas, where he was well supported before finishing second to Ashkirk at level weights, with that winner subsequently narrowly denied a fourth consecutive victory in a much stronger race at Eagle Farm last Saturday.
Apostle then stepped up to 1500m at Eagle Farm on October 3 and was only narrowly reeled in by the talented Murkado, conceding 1.5kg to the winner in another performance that demonstrated his ability to measure up against progressive three-year-olds.
He also gave 4kg to third-placed Win Star in that contest, with the filly safely held despite arriving with a stronger fitness base, and she meets Apostle only half a kilogram better at the weights on Saturday.
There appears little depth beyond the leading chances, with Pearl Pendant racing well but coming through country grade along with May The Force, leaving Apostle ideally placed to capitalise on the strongest recent form in the field and potentially peak fourth-up.
Drinkwise One Metro Win Handicap Tips (Race 4)
Doomben Next Best Bet - Race 4 No. 9 Rochedale Hero
The consistent Rochedale Hero makes appeal on an each-way basis, with the lightly raced five-year-old from the Jack Bruce stable finishing in the money in all four appearances this preparation, highlighted by a Class 1 victory at Ipswich second-up.
He subsequently gave a good account of himself in metropolitan BM70 company at Eagle Farm, where a wide barrier forced him to concede ground early, which proved costly for a galloper who lacks an explosive turn of foot, while that form was strengthened when Precise Star made it five consecutive victories at the Gold Coast a fortnight later.
A month between runs preceded his latest appearance at Eagle Farm on October 3, where Rochedale Hero was beaten as favourite in a somewhat muddling affair, with the winner Spaceballs proving too sharp when the sprint went on despite the gelding sticking to his task well.
He should be fitter for that outing and now tackles 1600m for the first time, with his pedigree offering encouragement given his full brother Shy Guy has developed into a useful middle-distance performer who has proven effective over longer trips.
Allowing Rochedale Hero to settle closer to the speed and roll along more prominently could prove beneficial as he rises in distance, and with a stronger fitness base and an opportunity to sustain his momentum, he can give a really good sight.
Canadian Club Ratings Band 0-65 Handicap Tips (Race 5)
Doomben Value Bet - Race 5 No. 14 Podium Star
There was considerable excitement around Podium Star before his debut last year, with the Stuart and Bayley Kendrick-trained galloper producing an enormous Sunshine Coast trial victory in July before justifying $1.35 favouritism with an impressive all-the-way win at his home track on August 3.
Jag Guthmann-Chester partnered the son of Lonhro for that breakthrough and reunites with him on Saturday, with the five-year-old now third-up following an absence of more than 400 days that was always likely to leave him needing some racing to reach peak fitness.
An August 18 trial placing behind stablemate Just Precious, who has subsequently won both starts, provided an early indication that Podium Star would benefit from his return to competition, and his first-up performance on September 20 was sound enough in a race dominated by those positioned closer to the speed.
There was arguably more merit in his second-up effort at Doomben on October 5, where the gelding again found himself unsuited and lacked the necessary sharpness, prompting connections to apply blinkers for the first time in a further indication that he could be ready to improve sharply third-up.
Guthmann-Chester has barrier three to work with and should be able to position Podium Star more prominently, while his dominant trial victory and debut success both came on Soft ground, suggesting any give in the surface could further enhance his prospects.
Century Pools Colts, Geldings and Entires BM78 Handicap Tips (Race 8)
Doomben Best Bet - Race 8 No. 12 Propaganda
Four wins and two runner-up finishes from six career appearances give Propaganda an outstanding record, with the Troy Pascoe-trained four-year-old returning to metropolitan company after completing a winning double to open his spring campaign.
The son of Spieth resumed with a dominant victory at Toowoomba on September 5, justifying $1.18 favouritism despite conceding 7.5kg to the runner-up, before again giving considerable weight to his nearest rival when successful at the Gold Coast on September 26.
The obvious query is the rise to 1200m, with Propaganda coming off consecutive victories over shorter trips, although his only previous attempt at this distance produced a creditable runner-up finish in a strong late-season three-year-old handicap at Eagle Farm.
That contest was won by Sword Of Legacy, who was dropping out of much stronger company and subsequently franked the form with a Sydney metropolitan victory in July, while Propaganda has clearly progressed since that earlier city assignment.
Anthony Allen has partnered the gelding in five of his six appearances and should be able to use his tactical speed, while Off The Press looks his main threat on the strength of some solid Sydney form and the reapplication of blinkers, although that rival was unable to capitalise on an easier assignment at Toowoomba last start.