Doomben on track to please trainers

WYONG trainer Kim Waugh was pleased to learn Doomben should again have a near-perfect racing surface when Supreme Effort heads north on Saturday.

Queensland trainers have been complaining about some tracks being too hard but all agree Doomben has been the “right” racing surface in recent weeks.

Provided there are no lateweek thunderstorms, Doomben is likely to be rated in the good range.

Waugh said that was welcome news for Supreme Effort, who contests an Open Handicap over 1110m.

She believes a rock-hard track was one of the main reasons Supreme Effort was an uncharacteristic ninth in the Listed Carrington Stakes at Randwick three weeks ago.

“Rock-hard tracks can really knock your horses around,” Waugh said.

“It is good news that Doomben should be good but not hard. Supreme Effort will appreciate it.”

Supreme Effort has earned his top weight in Saturday’s race with eight wins and $411,000 in prizemoney.

Before his Carrington Stakes run he was second in the Takeover Target Stakes to Calanda and fourth in the Xmas Classic behind Dubaibound Music Magnate.

Waugh has made a habit in recent times of making lightning trips to Brisbane with her horses.

Oxford Poet and Supreme Effort both won in Queensland earlier in the season and she has also had several placegetters.

“We can send them up on Thursday nights and have them back home on the Sunday,” she said.

“It seems to work perfectly so we will stick with a winning formula this time.”