Gr 1 Doomben Cup Preview

Shocked a lot of people first up when sitting wide yet still out-kicking a similar field. Surely strips fitter this time around and just loves the Brisbane winter carnival. This trip seems perfect at this stage of the prep.

Seems to grow a leg when in Brisbane for this carnival. Got too far back but was rattling home last start when 5th to Numerian. Fitter now and has won this particular race in 2022, and last year where he beat Numerian and Kovalica. Looks perfectly placed to threepeat!

was 3rd in this race last year and was a very game, hard-finishing 3rd to Numerian last start in the Hollindale when he beat Huetor home. Is fit, goes well in Brisbane and is ready to finish over the top of these. Does love this trip but the major reluctance re him is that he hasn’t won a race for many starts.

Is the fresh horse on the scene and he rates highly. Ran a cracking race when 6th in the Gr 1 Doncaster then last start carried 1.5kg more than Just Folk and failed to catch him by a wart in the Gr 3 Hawkesbury Cup. That horse came out and ran 2nd, splitting Numerian and Kovalica last start in the Hollindale franking the form. On weights, he looks well placed here and has won over 2100m. Big show.

Interesting runner. I like him here despite the fact he has won just 2 races over the past 5 years. One of them, of course, the Gr 1 Melbourne Cup. He does have winter form also, having been runner-up in the Gr 1 QTC Derby 5 years ago and winning the 3000m Tatts Cup at gr 3 level easily. Recent form has been great too – beaten just 2 lengths by Cascadian and Pride Of Jenny in the Gr 1 Australian Cup. Goes well on soft or firm and is very good when fresh. Looks the one to beat for mine.

Has been kept ticking over for this and may prove a threat as he probably goes forward and controls the tempo. Did that when winning the 2000m Sellwood at gr 3 level in March and last start was a solid 4th in the Gr 1 Sydney Cup over 3200m. Is fit and tough. Chance.

Solid, reliable, in form stayer who shows up well in every race he contests. After being on speed and easily winning the Aust Cup Prelude he ran one of his worst races ever when eased down and 7th in the Gr 1 Australian Cup over this trip. Is better than that.

At his best he can win this. BUT, he has been a massive disappointment for a couple of years now. Resumed with a fair 10th to Just Folk in the Hawkesbury Cup. Is crying out for a damp track and that may trigger a return to form.

is 2nd up here and has a very good 2nd up record. But this is a strong Gr 1 race. Sat back near last on a day when nothing really made ground and was beaten 5 lengths into 8th spot behind Numerian in the 1800m Hollindale last start. Can place on his day but probably needs to race closer to the lead.

Interesting galloper. Doesn’t boast the accolades of many of these…BUT… he has run 2000m faster than all of them in the past breaking 2 mins in January when very easily winning the January Cup at Rosehill. He is 2nd up here after a well-beaten 9th to Numerian in the Hollindale. may need this run but his history suggests he goes very well when 2nd up. Has place claims at big odds.

Good stayer who was 4th in the Gr 1 Caulfield Cup last prep and last start was in front most of the way when a battling 3rd on a heavy in the 2400m handicap under 61kg. This is considerably harder but is honest. And does love it wet.

Not sure if he is up to Gr 1 level but he does love this journey. Has won his past 2 starts, the Albury Cup and the Wagga Cup, both at this journey and both in very fast time. Is on the improve and could make a real race of this.

Loves it wet and if it is so, he is a real player. Ran on impressively when 3rd to Huetor in the JRA Plate this trip before last start dropping in class and proving too good winning the 2200m Gosford Cup on a heavy track. This is grades tougher so needs it wet.

isn’t up to this level. Comfortably beaten out of a place in the Hawkesbury Cup over a mile behind Just folk and last start improved when 2nd here last week beaten a nose in the easier Chairmans. looks safely held.

Is a Gr 1 winner in the winter too, last year in the QTC Oaks. Soundly beaten last start when resuming in an easier race and this may be too soon in the prep.

Is getting ready for her grand final which is the Gr 1 QTC Oaks and this will be a good hit out but she isn’t good enough to win this.