Group l racing continues at Doomben this Saturday, with the feature being the Doomben Cup (2000m). The weather is fine, the track is soft (5) and the rail is out 2.5 metres for the entire circuit.
Doomben Cup 🏆: View the Doomben Cup Field
Race 1. (11:15) TAB Handicap (75) 1600m
11 Sacred Day (Bet Now: $4.60) looks a good thing barring bad luck. Tony Pike trains this four year old gelding, who had a really good Summer/Autumn prep in NZ, with form around some Group l performed horses such as Zacada and Rondinella. Last run was on March 2, but did have a trial late last month back home in NZ at Taupo and was one of the standout performances of the morning. Really keen.
14 Kemsrey (Bet Now: $9.00) is a daughter of Bernadini for the Tony Gollan stable who was completely unwanted in betting when resuming at the Eagle Farm midweeks where she got a fair way back in the run but I liked the way she finished her race off when second to Vienna Moon, albeit well held by that dominant leader/winner. Has run well at Doomben previously and the resumption was encouraging, so giving her respect.
3 American Diva (Bet Now: $41.00) is a John Smerdon trained mare resuming. This girl hasn’t raced since March 9 at Eagle Farm where she was at the end of a long prep and raced like a tired horse behind Manaya. Normally needs a run or two before finding her best, but trial wasn’t too bad and interesting she resumes in town first up at a mile, perhaps a sign of intent maybe?
Race 2. (11:50) Australian Racing Hall Of Fame Handicap (75) 2000m
Very confident that 16 Guise (Bet Now: $3.60) can measure up. Been a big fan of this girl since day one and despite this clearly being her hardest test to date, she’s the one to beat, clearly. Ran against the older horses over 1800m at the Sunny Coast last time and I just loved the way she put them away. Sat on speed before being clicked up on the turn by Larry and the way she put them away, it was impressive. 2000m looks ideal and she’ll do me here.
Really keen to see how 18 Duchess Of Lennox (Bet Now: $5.50) goes. Chris Waller trains this filly, formerly with Stephen Jones. Had her first run for Waller over 1800m on the Kenso track at Randwick where she was quickly beaten off by Nobu and was entitled to probably spit the dummy out, but she kept chasing and was really good. Still has enormous room for improvement and I think 2000m will suit her big time.
I think It 19 Ain’t All Honey (Bet Now: $15.00) might be worth including in multiples here. Thought it was a tough and strong on speed win last time out at Ipswich at the midweeks. He was there to be beaten when Fairlighting loomed but he was holding that mare pretty comfortably on the line despite the margin being less than a length. Desleigh Forster and her team is going well at the moment and I think this bloke can run well.
Race 3. (12:25) Bill Carter Stakes 1200m
An absolute stack of speed engaged here, so going the way of 1 Miss Cavallo, (Bet Now: $12.00) who should sit back off the hot pace and have last look. Hasn’t raced for a couple of months for Mick Nolan since scoring an impressive win over this track/distance. Hasn’t been sighted since but I’d assume she’s had a jumpout leading in. Hoping she gets back, with cover and has last look.
3 Betaima (Bet Now: $11.00) is a talented filly for Toby Edmonds resuming. This filly had a very good Summer prep, including a win over 1050m here before being unplaced in a couple of runs behind Exhilarates, including the Magic Millions. Been given a good break and did look very slick in a recent trial win, telling me she’s ready to go for this 1200m assignment. Leading chance.
6 Perudo (Bet Now: $5.50) is another that should get a suck run nearer the inside. Tony Gollan trains this filly, who hasn’t raced since the 2YO Jewel at the Gold Coast when struggling to pick her feet up behind The Odyssey. Sure she has had a jumpout or two in readiness for her return to racing and from the inside gate, she should get run of the race stuff. Knockout chance.
Race 4. (13:00) JRA Plate 1200m
I reckon we’ll get a good idea if 1 Zoustyle (Bet Now: $1.60) is a contender or pretender after this race. He’s the boom horse of racing up in this part of the world resuming with eyes towards bigger and better races. Has created such an impression in a short space of time with his brilliant racing style of sustained speed, then sprinting after that. Will have to work for the win, but he can and still win.
Could the ultimate gear change be the trick that turns 3 Plague Stone (Bet Now: $2.30) from a barrier trial star to a Group l winner? Was gelded prior to the start of this prep, where he again trialled really well prior to resuming in the Mick Dittman here three weeks ago. Admittedly, he was taking on second/third tier three year olds but he made an absolute mess of them, and the form was franked in the Gold Coast Guineas via Pennino and further again by Vega One. If he runs up to the way he trials, he’s a serious horse, and the first up win suggested he could be turning the corner.
4 Ronstar (Bet Now: $15.00) should run third. Not to say he’s a mug compared to the other two because I think he’s returned in really good order, just not sure he’s got the brilliance. He’s got the toughness though because he lumped over 60kg last time out at Warwick Farm and was there to be beaten but found plenty late when challenged. He’ll get a sweet run from the gate and should run third.
Race 5. (13:40) Bright Shadow 1200m
Jump, run and win for 1 Quilista (Bet Now: $2.70), hopefully. She has been excellent in two runs for the Snowden camp, running a game fourth in the Sapphire at Randwick after setting a cracking tempo. She then went to the Silk Stocking at the Gold Coast where she again attempted to lead all the way and gave a really good kick but just found Demerara too good. Lands in front, firmer footing a big tick and will take some beating.
6 River Racer (Bet Now: $3.60) looks to be turning the corner for Les Ross in a good way. Ran in a Class 6 here last Saturday where she sat back off a very fast speed before peeling wider on the turn and finishing best to get the job done. Has run well at Stakes grade in the past. Now her confidence is up, she can run well at this level again with a similar setup to last Saturday.
Nigel Tiley gave a really good push for his mare 4 Bisou Bisou (Bet Now: $16.00) during the week and he’s a trainer not normally wanting to talk a horse of his up, so have to stand up and take notice of his confidence. She has some excellent form from NZ alongside her name, with efforts behind the likes of Ever Loyal and one of the better gallopers in NZ, Volpe Veloce. Bit of cushion in the track is fine, draws well, knockout chance IMO.
Race 6. (14:20) Chief De Beers 1110m
Going the way of the Kelly Schweida trained 14 Meet Mr Taylor (Bet Now: $4.00). Wasn’t sure what to make of him when he ran over this track/distance four weeks ago, his first run in over two months, and on a bog track, and he made them look like camels, dashing clear in the mud to win by six but it could have been further. Hardest test to date here, and while Kelly did try him at 1200m, I think for now, 1000-1100m is his trip.
9 Whypeeo (Bet Now: $6.00) was a horse who I was quite keen on in the Bat Out Of Hell and the market agreed given he was well supported late, but he really struggled on the bog track and for mine was a total forgive. He’ll get firmer footing this time around and up in trip will suit…but you’d have to think this is just about D-Day for him because he didn’t do much in the Spring.
3 Tarzan (Bet Now: $21.00) is too good and trustworthy to pen him after one run. Totally forgiving of his flop in the Bat Out Of Hell at the Gold Coast. He never went a yard on the bog track and rightfully finished near last. His trial prior to that flop was very good at the Sunny Coast and he’s a real speed demon who loves to racing near the front, so on firmer ground, he could bounce back.
Race 7. (15:00) BRC Sprint 1350m
Sticking solid with 9 Ever Loyal (Bet Now: $16.00). Australian punters got a taste of him at Randwick in the Autumn where he contested the Liverpool Cup but unfortunately got stuck wide no cover, pulled his head off and weakened out behind Dreamforce, who of course ran well behind Winx in the George Ryder then the Doncaster. Sent back to NZ, and trialled mid April at Waipa, and he absolutely bolted in under triple wraps. He’s a horse who needs cover, and from the gate, he should get that. Really keen on him.
I think 10 Chapter And Verse (Bet Now: $2.80) is much better suited at Eagle Farm, but he’s just racing too well to ignore. Resumed a few weeks back at that track and gave them an absolute spanking under a very confident steer from Du Plessis. Clearly his toughest test to date but a win here and he’s into the Stradbroke so there is a lot at stake and I’d suspect he’s wound up given that.
6 Tyzone (Bet Now: $8.50) is flying for Tyzone but just can’t get luck in recent times. Copped a bump at the start and arguably cost him the win in the Weetwood two back before going to the Hall Mark at Randwick where he was looking to shove into the clear, but remained in a pocket and again, could make a case he should have won behind Trekking, and that form was franked at Scone. Hard to beat for mine, hopefully with a clear run.
Race 8. (15:40) Doomben Cup 2000m
Got a slice of the $17 all in for 11 Shillelagh (Bet Now: $6.50) because for mine, that was just a silly price. Hasn’t raced since the Coolmore Legacy during the Championships at Randwick where she looked the winner when sprouting wings late, but Kenedna dived between runners to get the win. Was down to run in the Hollindale but was scratched due to the wet track. Will fresh legs be an advantage? Hoping the answer is yes.
I think in order for 16 Gem Song (Bet Now: $5.50) to win this, Shinn will need to get him clear air from the outset and get moving on the turn. He had every chance last Saturday at Doomben behind Archedemus but IMO was ridden perhaps a touch cute. Can get away with that at Eagle Farm, but not Doomben, so I think Shinn will need to ride him ugly in order to win, which he can.
Just has to run a strong 2000m and 6 Archedemus (Bet Now: $9.50) will look the winner for the most part. On the seven day back up for the Gwenda Markwell stable after leading all the way to win the Members last Saturday and it was a repeat of his Hawkesbury Cup triumph. Just controlled things beautifully in front and gave nothing else a look in. Just has to stretch that to 2000m against some quality animals here and if he can do that, he’ll be hard to beat once again.
Race 9. (16:20) The Roses 2000m
1 Scarlet Dream (Bet Now: $2.60) should be beating this lot if she is deserving of the Oaks favourite tag. Mark Newnham trains this quality filly, who hasn’t raced since the ATC Oaks where she ran a very good second behind dominant winner and top class filly Verry Elleegant. Been freshened up and kept up to the mark with a sharp trial win. Normal luck and class gets her home.
14 Etana (Bet Now: $8.50) is a Maher/Eustace trained filly who was very good in the Gold Coast Bracelet I thought behind Winning Ways. She had to cut back to nearer the inside, which was quicksand, but despite that, she kept finding and was really good in defeat. Think back on top of the ground will really suit this filly and she’ll do no work from the gate. Runs well for sure.
Back up in trip will suit the Garry Newham trained 3 Winning Ways (Bet Now: $17.00). Loved the way she won two back over 2200m at Eagle Farm, beating High Opinion, who has run well since. This filly then went back in trip to 1800m to contest the Gold Gold Bracelet where she was given a sweet steer in transit and if she never looked like getting beat. Back up to 2000m, she appeals.
Best Bets & Quaddie Tips
BEST BET: Race Nine Number 1 Scarlet Dream
NEXT BEST: Race Seven Number 9 Ever Loyal
LONG SHOT: Race Three Number 1 Miss Cavallo
Quaddie Tips (Races Six Through To Nine):
Leg One: 3, 7, 9, 14
Leg Two: 9, 10
Leg Three: 6, 11, 13, 16, 17
Leg Four: 1
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