Doomben Preview & Best Bets – 20/03/2024

Doomben Tips for Wednesday, March 20

Our form expert provides Doomben tips for today’s horse racing at Doomben Racecourse and gives his best bets.

BEST BET 🏆

Race 6:  No.1  EXCEED SPEED

Second-up today, the Tony Gollan-trained EXCEED SPEED should appreciate the extra distance here and looks well placed to break through for his first win in this contest. Last start, the Exceed And Excel gelding was first-up after six months in the paddock when he did well to finish third, here in a 1200m Maiden behind Majestic Boom who clocked 1:09 for the trip and has won again since then. Michael Rodd was aboard that day and has the job again for this event. He carries 60kgs today but is only 3.5kgs over the limit here. Fitter for that first-up effort, a trouble-free run here should see him hard to hold out.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 2:  No.5  HELIKEDEMPRETTY  

The Robert Heathcote-trained HELIKEDEMPRETTY is second-up today and looks every chance of back-to-back victories here. Last start, the Pariah mare was ridden a treat by Mark Du Plessis as he had the mare box-seating early from gate seven. On straightening, the leaders hung out, giving Du Plessis the dream run along the fence and that was she wrote as he drove the four-year-old to the line to score an impressive win on fresh legs. The mare carries more weight today but draws ideally in gate two and has Du Plessis steering the ship again. She is yet to win at the 1200m but has placed twice in previous attempts. Fitter for that first-up effort, she can get the job done again today.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 4:  No.5  SHOWMAN

The Stephen Lee-trained SHOWMAN is in good touch this time in with a hat-trick of podium finishes to date and looks poised to bring up career-win number three today. Last start, the son of Melbourne Cup winning sire Shocking finished runner-up for the second time when he beat all but one home in a Class 3 Hcp, here over the mile trip with Jake Bayliss aboard. He draws gate seven here and maps to settle back in the field in his usual racing pattern. Bayliss sticks with him today and nearing his peak now, he should give this contest a real shake.