Doomben Cup 2024 – Field Preview, Odds, Horses, Speed Map and Betting Tips

I think Tim Clark aboard Serpentine will see what’s going on underneath him and then take his time to get across and lead. I think he’ll find the front and do his own thing. Bois D’Argent will settle forward, as will Numerian you’d assume. Naval College is drawn wide and perhaps roll the dice and go forward.

2024 Doomben Cup Runner Preview:

1. Numerian: Superb win in the Hollindale after sitting wide no cover throughout. He was strongest late and given he was first up, the win was incredible. Ran second in this race last year, he’s on track to go one better and I say is a definite winning chance.

2. Huetor: 2x defending champ who wasn’t suited by the race shape in the Hollindale but that said, I thought the run was okay without jumping up and down. Tricky gate again, likely drifts back, will need luck…he seems rock bottom odds for mine.

3. Kovalica: Kovalica has the runs on the board and the flashing light last start run to say he’s going to take beating. He comes through the Hollindale after a freshen up and ran very well late, clocking the best late splits of the race when third to Numerian. Fitter and up to 2000m, drying surface, class…appeals.

4. Detonator Jack: He hasn’t raced at this distance range for some time but he’s racing as if he will eat it up given how he found the lien in the Hawkesbury Cup, his second run at the mile on the bounce and was four weeks between runs. Big tick up in trip, J Mac for J Parr a tick…rates highly.

5. Vow And Declare: Gee he looks a big price this old boy. Last run was in the Australian Cup was an absolute belter from near last, closing off with purpose to run fourth to Cascadian. Second was Pride Of Jenni and third, just, was Atishu. That is elite, elite form, he maps to get a suck run in transit and his work last week, from all reports, was very good. Big, big price.

6. Serpentine: I just think Serpentine is a big price here. Hasn’t raced since the Sydney Cup where I thought he was very brave in defeat after not leading, taking a sit and sticking on really after racing over 2000m the start prior. Back to 2000m, tick over trial was good and with an on speed racing style, a likely firm-ish deck, I think he’ll only run well.

7. Young Werther: He got his Birthday/Christmas/Bar Mitzvah and was well held in the Australian Cup. He’s not up to these IMO.

8. El Bodegon: How long til Eric Musgrove gets him and he gets him jumping?

9. Hoo Ya Mal: I backed him with confidence in the 2022 Melbourne Cup…I just don’t think he has settled into life down under. Missed the start in the Hollindale but was very plain late. Can’t entertain him as a key chance and surprised he is as short as he is.

10. Naval College: Total forgive in the Hollindale I thought. He was first up, first time on heavy going, and he just couldn’t pick his feet up in the conditions. If they roll the dice and go forward, find a spot…he could pinch a first four spot at odds.

11. Bois D’Argent: Back to 2000m looks a big tick for him. Just not sure he’s good enough.

12. Fawkner Park: Fawkner Park has been a real find in recent times for Annabel Neasham. He comes here off the back of a Wagga Cup triumph where he produced one of the wins of the Carnival given he was back near last, come widest, against the pattern, and launched over the top to win. Can he measure up at WFA? Only time will tell.

13. Hezashocka: Blessed to win the Gosford Cup at Newcastle I thought. He lapped up the wet track and the runner up did all the work. Tricky draw, firm deck, sharp rise in grade/depth…not for me.

14. New Endeavour: Craig Williams during the Winter = gold. That is a big factor as to why New Endeavour can run a race at odds. Just missed out on the win last Saturday at the track/distance when beaten a lip by Spirit Ridge. Maps perfect, he has the 2000m run under the belt…must include in exotics.

15. Amokura: Very wary of this mare because she has the engine under the hood to measure up and it’s a Group l so she gets good Zahra and not DNP Zahra. I just query whether this tunes her up for the Q22.

16. Kind Words: I always like three year olds at WFA but this looks a bridge way too far.