One of the Brisbane summer features is the Timeform Listed Bernborough Handicap over 1600m at Doomben, a race named after Queensland’s greatest galloper of the post-war era.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The race has assembled a strong field of local middle distance gallopers, some with excellent credentials around the Doomben circuit.
It is of interest that two of the past three winners have been Sydney-trained gallopers Kontiki Park last year and Joku in 2009 and weight adjusted Timeform ratings suggest another interstate-trained galloper Alma’s Fury will take beating this afternoon.
Trained by Paul Murray at Kembla Grange the 108 Timeform rated gelding has a similar form pattern to Kontiki Park going into the race, both gallopers finishing second in the G2 Villiers Handicap at their previous outing.
Alma’s Fury has been very consistent this campaign, the Villiers effort being his equal highest rated effort in six starts to date.
Alma’s Fury covered additional ground in the Villiers and was forced to make his bid for victory wide out turning into the home straight. Once balanced up, he finished the race off resolutely just failing to peg back All Legal who won by a nose.
A repeat of that rating would see Alma’s Fury comfortably home against this opposition this afternoon, the main danger to his chances seen as his low draw.
If the race unfolds according to the “map”, new rider Glen Boss will need to extricate him from inside horses in the home straight but given Alma’s Fury has already previously been to Doomben where he was placed in the G3 Grand Prix Stakes, I am sure this will not be an issue.
Improving mare Fire Me Fifi and the Peter Moody-trained Turnitup rate as the main dangers in a race rich with winning chances.
Timeform rated 101p Fire Up Fifi has been in sparkling form of late winning six of her last eight outings including two at today’s Doomben course.
Prepared by leading trainer Robert Heathcote, the little grey mare has raced twice since a spell for a handy fifth on resumption and a narrow win last time out.
Even though the margin was small last start she was racing in Listed class over 1350m, a distance short of her best, yet she came with a powerful run from midfield to gather up the leaders to claim victory.
The step up to 1600m today is ideal and her record third up is impressive, winning twice and placing from her only other run in that state.
Ryan Wiggins who has only teamed up with her this campaign remains atop and there seems little doubt she will be warming up late to challenge the leaders where it counts.
Peter Moody has made an interesting move sending Timeform rated 104 Melbourne-based galloper Turnitup up to contest the race.
The 2011 G3 Grand Prix Stakes winner at Doomben over 2200m has been better regarded a 2000m horse in Melbourne, his last win in June coming over that trip at Caulfield.
Turnitup has raced five times since a spell finishing in the frame three times, two of those at 2000m.
Last start Turnitup finished third to Alcohol at Flemington. After sitting handy throughout he challenged strongly in the straight but lacked the necessary turn of foot in the last 200m to reel in the leaders, something that may be an issue for him here dropping back 400m in distance.
In his favour is his early speed and drop in grade.
Top weight is the classy Brisbane mare Fillydelphia who be fifth up from a spell this afternoon.
Also trained by Robert Heathcote, Fillidelphia (Timeform rated 108) was narrowly beaten in last year’s Bernborough Handicap behind Kontiki Park and the race does have a good record for horses backing up from year to year.
For example Pepperwood also engaged in today’s race has already won two Bernborough Handicaps (2010 and 2008), while Deuxieme scored back to back in 2005/6 and Make Mine Music in 2003/4.
A winner of the G3 Rough Habit Plate (2020m) as a three-year-old, Fillydelphia has proven very
versatile with age winning from 1300m to 1600m and in the process is recognised as a Doomben “specialist” where she has registered six of her nine career wins.Fillydelphia won the Listed Brisbane Handicap over 1630m at Doomben last year and she comes off an unlucky fourth in the Listed Just Now Handicap over 1300m at Eagle Farm last start behind Fire Up Fifi.
The main worry this afternoon looks to be the 59kgs top weight combined with an awkward barrier of 13. It will require a great ride from Michael Cahill to get cover then produce her at the appropriate time.
Should he do so, she will take beating.
The improving Mystical Grey looks value in the race. Today he will be third up from a spell after two very sound runs.
One significant advantage he has is his early speed and the map has him placed right with the speed. Last time out he improved sharply from his fresh up effort to finish third over 1600m at Eagle Farm behind Mr Light Blue. On that occasion he trailed the leaders and chased hard in the closing stages.
Mystical Grey will be further improved for this afternoon’s assignment from that effort and he can certainly figure at good odds.
Others who look good multiple players on ratings are Mr Light Blue and Playaction.
Enjoy the race.
