Doomben Race Course 

Doomben Race Course

Doomben Racecourse is just 6km from the Brisbane CBD and hosts some of QLD's premier races. It is popular amongst race goers for its spacious facilities which include the beautifully appointed 10,000 room, a superb viewing room which has glass from the floor to the ceiling. Named after Doomben's most renowned race, the Group 1 weight for age Doomben 10,000, this deluxe room is located on top of the grandstand and gives patrons a crisp view of the winning post and a prime look at champion thoroughbreds as they parade around the mounting yard before a big event. From there competitors head onto course proper which has a circumference of 1,715m and a 350m straight.

It's large oval shape has a double sweeping turn at the east and west ends of the course which gives outside runners a lot of grief. Many people refer to Doomben as the 'Garden Racecourse' because of its picturesque gardens that surround the course.

The track hosts three Group 1 races during the Queensland winter carnival, with the ruuing of the Doomben 10,000 (1350m), BTC Cup (1200m) and the Doomben Cup (2200m).

Barriers:

1010m – Races start at the end of the back straight giving runners only 110 metres before the home turn. Inside barriers are a major advantage.

1200m – Races start at the top of the back straight on course proper and runners sprint for 300m before hitting the sweeping double turn onto the home straight. More big advantages for the inside barriers.

1350m – The action now moves into a chute at the top of the back straight. Despite the extra 450m at the beginning, inside barriers are where you want to be.

1650m – Action starts after the home straight in a chute that leads directly into the first double sweeping bend which puts outside barriers at a fair disadvantage as they have lots of work to do.

2020m – Races start on course proper in the home straight. The extra distance gives inside barriers only a small advantage.

2200m – Now the action moves into a chute at the top of the home straight. Runners have the entire length of the home straight to find a good position to settle into. This takes away much of the advantage inside barriers had over shorter distances.

Feature Races:

May
BTC Cup G1 Open wfa 1200m
Rough Habit Plate G3 3YO Open sw 2020m
BRC Chairmans Handicap G3 3YO+ Open qlty 2020m
Doomben Cup G1 3YO+ Open wfa 2200m
Champagne Classic G2 2YO Open sw 1200m
Doomben Roses G3 3YO Fillies sw 2020m
Lady Of The Turf Stakes G3 Open F&M sw+p 1350m
BRC Sprint G3 Open qlty 1350m
Fred Best Classic G3 3YO Open sw 1350m
Lord Mayor's Cup G3 3YO+ Open wfa 1615m
Doomben 10,000 G1 Open Open wfa 1350m
Premier's Cup G3 3YO+ Open hcp 2200m

December
George Moore Stakes G3 3YO+ Open qlty 1200m
Vo Rogue Plate G3 3YO sw 1350m