Doomben will host Brisbane’s premier metropolitan program this weekend, and the time-honoured George Moore Stakes is the feature race on a quality card.
I’ve run the rule over all ten races, and you can find my full preview and 2023 George Moore Stakes Day Tips below.
Anders 1st Yearlings Selling 2024 @ Widden Stud 2YO Handicap (1200m) – 1:03pm AEDT
Head Honcho has improved with each of four starts since debuting and is ready to win at Doomben on George Moore Stakes Day.
The Headwater gelding flashed late into second at his third career start here in late October, before repeating that performance and result at his latest.
He looks to be in peak order, and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Head Honcho
The Eagle Way (200m) – 1:38pm AEDT
Encoder can win The Eagle Way.
The Encryption gelding has proven to be a decent horse for Lee Freedman’s team since debuting and he recorded consecutive wins at Ipswich and Eagle Farm before finishing fourth, beaten less than a length on Mooloolaba Cup Day.
In peak order, I think that he has a lot of these covered for class, and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Encoder
XXXX Country Stampede Final (1110m) – 2:13pm AEDT
I Am Fearless has been racing in strong and consistent form this time and rates as a key winning chance in this, his major campaign target.
The I Am Invincible gelding ahs won four of his last five starts, striking at Eagle Farm two back before winning at Chinchilla last time out.
He’s hard fit, drawn and weighted to receive every chance.
Suggested Bet: No. 14 I Am Fearless
Magic Millions Pierata Plate (1200m) – 2:48pm AEDT
Defiant Spirit is yet to return a poor performance, and I thought that the Pierata Plate looked a really nice race for him.
The Spirit Of Boom gelding has only made four appearances at the races since debuting, but he has more than stamped himself as one to watch by winning twice, and only just missing at his first run back this time a fortnight ago.
With natural improvement, I think he’s going to take a power of beating here, and he is my best bet on the program.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Defiant Spirit
Country Cups Challenge Final (1600m) – 3:28pm AEDT
Fire King has been racing in dominant form this time in, and I think he’ll be rewarded with the biggest win of his career at Doomben on Saturday.
The Worthy Cause gelding hasn’t missed placing at his last five appearances, winning twice, including a near four-length win at Toowoomba a fortnight ago.
He’s hard fit and primed for another big performance on George Moore Stakes Day.
Suggested Bet: No. 8 Fire King
Listed Tails Stakes (1600m) – 4:08pm AEDT
This is a wide-open race with plenty of winning chances engaged, and I thought that Ocean Treaty represented a bit of value at current odds ($7.50 at publish).
Ocean Treaty returned to action to finish third, beaten less than a length over 1400m at Eagle Farm in early November, and hit the line to finish only a length behind the winning in the Mooloolaba Cup last time.
He meets the winner of that race, Dune Forty Five, far better at the weights this week, and we can have an each way play at the price.
Suggested Bet: No. 9 Ocean Treaty
Listed Mode Stakes (1200m) – 4:48pm AEDT
Abounding returned to action an impressive winner here at Doomben in October, and she can make it two in a row when she steps out in the Mode Stakes.
The Rich Enuff filly has been a model of consistency since debuting and was unlucky not to win a black type race in the winter, placing in three-consecutive features.
Her fresh performance and win over this route hinted at improvement, and I like that she has been back to the trials since that race.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Abounding
Group 3 Ladbrokes George Moore Stakes (1200m) – 5:28pm AEDT
Rothfire is the class engaged in this year’s George Moore Stakes field, and I am keen to have something on this week.
The Group 1 winner has continued to produce high quality performances in some of the country’s best sprints right the way through his career, and he returned in the early spring to finish second behind Imperatriz in the McEwen Stakes.
He was sent for a break after running fifth in the Moir Stakes, and a recent trial performance adds further confidence.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Rothfire
Vale Wayne Purchase Open Handicap (2000m) – 6:10pm AEDT
Great House was too far off them and never a winning chance in the Mooloolaba Cup last time out, but I am keen to stick with him out to 2000m at Doomben on Saturday.
The Galileo gelding’s form prior to that race was on the improve, and he was desperately unlucky not to strike at Eagle Farm second-up from a break.
His best performances have generally been kept for races 2000m and over, and the booking of James Orman boosts his chances this week.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Great House
AQWA Constructions Class 6 Plate (1350m) – 6:40pm AEDT
I’m with last-start winner National Choice in the last on George Moore Stakes Day.
National Choice has improved noticeably with each of three runs back this time, culminating in an eye-catching performance and win on the Sunshine Coast last time out.
This race is no harder, he just needs some luck in running to be in the finish.
Suggested Bet: No. 8 National Choice