Doomben Preview & Best Bets – 24/01/2024

Doomben Tips for Wednesday, January 24

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

BEST BET 🏆

Race 3:  No.2  FLYWHEEL  ($5.50 with Picklebet)

The Robert Heathcote-trained FLYWHEEL is second-up and looks well placed here to go one better today. Last start, the Xtravagant gelding was fresh off a 15-week break when he beat all but one home, here in a set-weights Maiden over 1350m. He settled in the first half-dozen that day and battled on strongly in the run home to be beaten just half a length on the line. Nicely drawn in gate four today, he has a new rider with James Orman taking the reins for this assignment where he again maps to settle just behind the speed. Fitter for that first-up run and placed here last start, he looks right in the mix today.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 4:  No.7  GREAT ASPIRATIONS  ($4.20 with bet365)

Resuming off a seven-month break today, the Tony Gollan-trained GREAT ASPIRATIONS comes off a recent trial win and looks set to give this contest a real shake on fresh legs. Last start, the Savabeel gelding ended a three-start campaign by beating all but one home in a Class 1 Hcp, here over 1110m. Jumping from the outside gate (11), Ryan Maloney rode him a treat (under the circumstances) and did well to cross the line in second place that day. A Vet’s inspection showed him lame in the off fore leg after the race. His first day back at work (16 Jan) saw him beat home seven rivals in that 1000m trial with Maloney in the saddle. Just eight to go around today (after early scratchings) and from gate seven, he maps to settle near mid-field. Maloney sticks with him for the assignment and already a winner when first-up, he has strong claims to do it again.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 2:  No.8  ELLIBABY  ($26 with Bet Right)

David Vandyke saddles-up ELLIBABY here for her debut appearance and at big odds today, still looks a solid each-way chance in this contest. The Merchant Navy filly has trialled twice in preparation for this event and was placed in both hit-outs. The most recent of those was on the Sunshine Coast (inner track) where she finished a close-up second on a Heavy 8 over 1000m with Kyle Wilson-Taylor aboard. She has gate seven today and being her first start, its anyone’s guess where she will settle. The stable have fitted pacifiers for her debut as Wilson-Taylor remains in the saddle. At the big odds today, she looks well worth an each-way ticket here.