Best bet – R1 #3 Prince Shalaa

Keen to get the cash early here with Prince Shalaa. He won stylishly first-up and then was no match for Spiritualised when running second. The winner was in another race and burnt the candle at both ends as the short-priced favourite and has plans to press onto the Golden Rose. Prince Shalaa had a good run in that event, but had to hook out wide and then stuck to his task nicely. That was his first career defeat, he’ll come on nicely again from the run and will appreciate a little more ground getting out to the 1350m. He’s drawn barrier two again and should get the perfect run just behind the speed.

Next best – R4 #9 Birriecart

Drawn perfectly in barrier five and should sit just off the line pace. He’s also unbeaten at Doomben winning three from three. In fact his only career defeat came at his fourth run at the end of his first preparation, beaten by Prince of Boom at the Gold Coast. He was good in two trials – behind Shooting for Gold in the first and then beating Mass Destruction in the second. The tongue tie goes on for the first time and he should have his mind on the job first-up.

Best each way – R2 #5 Corncrake

Third-up and ready to win. He tackles a typical moderate distance race on a Brisbane Saturday, which includes a number of well-tried and well-exposed horses. He ran well second-up behind the smart Born A King last start at Rosehill. He clearly needed the run and probably peaked on his run a furlong out. Last prep he won impressively fourth-up over 2400m at Kembla Grange after striking heavy tracks the runs earlier in the prep. He then won again the start following, beating Sacramento at Warwick Farm. He’s also nominated for the Ranvet (2400m) at Rosehill on Saturday (but some early market support suggests he will run here), but looking further ahead, he’s also in nominations for The Metropolitan and Melbourne Cup. He has been allotted 54kg here but will carry 53kg, which is the limit of apprentice Kyle Wilson-Taylor. He should get a soft run midfield and he strong at the end of 2200m.

Next best each-way | R3 #3 Better Get Set

Talented horse with plenty of upside to improve again this preparation. She performed well in a recent trial behind Baller, a top liner from the Gollan yard who has been sent to Melbourne this prep.