The Doomben Cup is now widely regarded as the premier staying race on Queensland’s racing calendar. With the prize money of $500,000, this race attracts a quality field of stayers that are usually at the top of their preparations.
A field of ten is listed to line-up come Saturday and the betting is currently quite tight with three runners vying for favouritism.
The first of these is Guy Walter’s five-year-old mare, Streama.
She hit form last start in the Group 2 Holindale Stakes, where she finished off strongly to win by half a length. She is expected to relish on an improved track.
Next is the lightly-raced, five-year-old gelding from the Hawkes stable, Leebaz.
He has six wins from his nine race starts, but this is by far his toughest test and he has never raced past 1600 metres. That hasn’t seemed to worry the punters however, as they have smashed him in the betting and he is now an equal favourite with Streama.
This is largely due to him winning the Group 3 Hawkesbury Cup last start in impressive fashion, but he only had to carry 54 kilograms and is now carrying 59 kilograms. That could be a big ask over the 2000 metres.
The other runner the punters have come for is the in form Akzar.
In his last five starts he has three wins and two seconds, in his last start he came from the rear of the field to win the Listed Warrnambool Cup by a huge six lengths. This is obviously a lot tougher, but if he carriers that form into this race he will be hard to beat.
On the next line of betting is Chris Waller’s import, Junoob.
He struggled last start, where he ran fourth behind Streama in the Holindale, but should appreciate stepping back out to 2000 metres where he has had two wins the prep in Sydney. His five-length win in the Listed Randwick City Stakes was especially impressive and reads as good form heading into this race.
A couple of the outsiders which are of interest are Moriarty and Mr O’Ceirin.
Moriarty has been solid this prep without producing a win but should appreciate an improved track and the extra distance. Finished fifth behind Streama in the Holindale. He looks well placed in this race and jockey Craig Newitt feels he is a good chance on a dry track.
Mr O’Ceirin ran well for second behind Streama last start and he should be getting close to peak fitness now. He is a five-time winner at this trip and handles most conditions. He will start from the widest gate available but this is not a huge issue as the Doomben track allows about 200 metres before a turn at the 2000 metre starting point, which should give jockeys a chance to position their rides.
Although there is only a relatively small field lining up for this race, it still looks to be pretty interesting with several winning chances and a bit of value to be found outside of the favourites.
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