Australian racing tips for May 16, 2026
This week in Australian racing all the attention turns to the Queensland Winter Carnival and its first Group 1: the Ladbrokes Doomben 10,000 over 1200 metres.
The talented sprinter Jimmysstar heads the weights and the betting and that is no surprise given his outstanding record of 11 wins and eight placings from 26 starts and almost $7 million in prizemoney.
Jimmysstar is a reliable galloper and the biggest risk to him seems to be the tempo of the race given he is likely to settle back in the field and come with one late run. If the pace is on he likely gets over the top of them.
But the Ciaron Maher-trained gelding certainly won’t find it easy with a trio of rising colts lining up to knock him off. Grafterburners, Beadman and Napoleonic are all on the rise; James McDonald is on the latter which could be a good pointer given he rode Beadman to a barnstorming win in the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas last weekend.
The Adelaide carnival wound up last weekend with the Goodwood, so it’s all about Queensland now with the 10,000 and a few other group races, though we have run an eye over the Group 3 Arrowfield Dark Jewel Classic at Scone.
In any case there is enough quality Australian racing to keep you entertained. Read on for our free betting tips and analysis for the best racing in Australia on May 16.
Doomben Race 4
Group 2 Seven Spirit Of Boom Classic (1200m)
(1) Boomtowns can cause a surprise here at good odds for champion Hong Kong-based jockey Zac Burton and leading Queensland trainer Tony Gollan. The Written Tycoon colt hit the line OK first-up in the listed Dalrello Stakes over 1000m and is much better suited at the 1200m. There is a bit of a boom on (3) Vantorix which has won his first two starts and has the services of James McDonald. He is way up in class here and looks a little skinny at around $2.20. (10) Double Cool is a maiden but has three seconds from only four starts and the other run was a fourth placing in the Magics Millions behind boom two-year-old Unit Five at the Gold Coast. A repeat of that run would put the filly in the mix. (9) Dream Roca is a bomb-proof filly and from gate one with Ben Thompson up will not be far away..
Rupert McIntosh tips: 1,9,10,3. Best bet: Boomtowns each-way at a good price.
Doomben Race 7
Group 3 JRA Chairman’s Hcp (2000m)
This an extremely open contest with arond $6 the field, with (2) Middle Earth our top selection. The Roaring Lion six-year-old is lightly raced and should be peaing at his third run since a spell. He ran third in the Melbourne Cup last year and is looking for this distance and more now. In a race where not a lot of the contenders bring winning form, (8) Nellie Leylax won on the wet last start and is still improving. (5) Just Fine likes to bowl along in front and has a masterful front-running rider in Tim Clark, though there is enough pace elsewhere in the race to keep him honest.
Rupert McIntosh tips: 2,8,4,5. Best bet: Middle Earth to win.
Doomben Race 8
Group 1 Ladbrokes Doomben 10,000 (1200m)
This is looking as a race for the swoopers with an abundance of front-runners engaged. That will suit the favourite (1) Jimmysstar, which should be at his top for this race. (12) Grafterburners also has a good turn of foot and is racing in good style. (18) Napoleonic has form around Joliestar and he could be primed to explode first-up. With James McDonald up you know he will get every chance. We have not completely given up on the talented (7) Private Harry, who disappointed first-up. If there is any trainer who can get him back to his best it’s Chris Waller.
Rupert McIntosh tips: 18,1,17,7. Best bet: Napoleonic each-way, and stand-out in quinella with 1,17,7.
Doomben Race 9
Group 3 HKJC World Pool Rough Habit Plate (2000m)
(8) Accidental Bid gapped rivals at Pakenham last start and is from the champion stable of Ciaron Maher. While this race is much tougher, he is untapped but most overcome barrier 17. He has been solidly backed already and should be at home in the likely wet conditions. (2) Providence is a superbly bred colt which is just hitting his straps and this trip north cold the making of him. Kiwi training team Roger James and Robert Wellwood rarely miss when they bring a filly across the ditch and while her main target may be the Queensland Oaks, (16) Solid Gold should not be dismissed. Alas she has also got the visitor’s draw of 16.
Rupert McIntosh tips: 8,16,2,3. Best bet: Accidental Bid to win.
Scone Race 9
Group 3 Arrowfield Dark Jewel Classic (1400m)
(6) Oh Diamond Lil can be forgiven her first-up failure as she choked down, and she is generally a real winner with seven wins only 18 starts. She was short in the market for her latest run when she led and caved in and a return to her best would have her winning here. Her jockey Jason Collett is riding in great form. (9) Surfin’ Bird is the favourite for the race and another likely to race up on the speed. She has the usual Waterhouse bone and muscle and won’t be far away. (15) Countyourblessings is at huge odds but could surprise as she races well second-up from a spell. (12) Arriving Home was just behind Surfin’ Bird last start and is a great chance again.
Rupert McIntosh tips: 6,15,12,9. Best bet: Oh Diamond Lil each-way but try boxing up the four numbers in a quinella or trifecta.
