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Doomben 10,000: Group 1 preview and tips

Doomben hosts another weekend of racing. (AAP Image/Dan Peled)
Expert
21st May, 2015
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The Doomben 10,000 was a race for proven Group 1 talents during the 2000s, with dual winners like Falvelon and Apache Cat top and tailing the decade.

The likes of Takeover Target, Bel Esprit, Undue and Red Oog also on the winners list in that time.

Since the turn of the decade it’s been a race that has proven to be the career pinnacle for the winner, none more popular than last year when hometown hero Spirit of Boom stamped his class on a worthy field.

This years edition is an even one, with no headline horse or standout Group 1 performer.

Srikiandi heads the markets, with her supporters hoping she doesn’t bungle the start like she did in the BTC Cup, making her one of eight coming into the Doomben 10,000 from it.

Despite being a Victorian mare, her last six starts, spread over more than a year, have been in the sunshine state, winning four of them. She’s got the class, but has she got the manners? If she jumps well, she’ll get the run of the race from barrier five.

The winner of the BTC Cup, Hot Snitzel, isn’t here, but the place-getters are.

Knoydart couldn’t reel the winner in that day, giving him too much headstart, but it looks like the John O’Shea gelding is in for his best prep yet.

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Our Boy Malachi, third, more than held his own up against the big boys, but is some query at the distance in this class. He has two 1300m wins in the bush, but can he sustain his speed over 1350m at Group 1 level?

Bring Me The Maid was an eye-catching fourth in the BTC Cup, but the jury is still out on whether she is at her absolute best on good ground. Scissor Kick ran his usual even race in fifth, and perhaps a change of jockey with Glen Boss aboard will get him back in the winners stall. We know he has the ability to win.

Generalife has never stood out as a Group 1 horse in waiting, but is coming off a five-week freshen after a career-best run in the All Aged Stakes behind Dissident. That run bolstered his Group 1 credentials after having strong form behind the likes of Hucklebuck and Fast N Rocking in the spring.

Charlie Boy and Rock Sturdy fought out the finish of the BRC Sprint last start, opting for the softer lead up on BTC Cup day. They had both trailed behind Our Boy Malachi at their previous start, which suggests they might find this a bit rich.

Chris Waller brings an unpredictable hand to proceedings with his old warhorse Boban and the German import Flamingo Star.

Being first-up isn’t usually Boban’s thing, but he also normally resumes over shorter distances than this, and off a longer break. He must be conceded a sneaky chance unless you think his best days are behind him.

Flamingo Star is expected to need the run, and should find many of these too slick, but will maintain his status as a watch runner.

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Sacred Star is coming off two Group 1 wins in New Zealand and must be respected. He comfortably accounted for Natuzzi in both of those wins, and that horse has form around Group 1 competitive Under the Louvre, so he does tie in as a trifecta chance.

Temple of Boom is always a chance to run well in this sort of race, and he might be looking for this sort of distance now at this stage of his career. Fontelina can’t really be trusted, but is often worth a ticket big odds.

Time For War is in honest form in weaker grade, but hasn’t been a top notch three-year-old, so it’s hard to see him figuring here. Big Money ran well in the BTC Cup, and while he’s far from the worst horse in the race, he’d need a lot to his way to beat them all.

On paper, there looks to be more an even tempo than crazy speed.

Selections: 1. Srikandi 2. Knoydart 3. Scissor Kick 4. Generalife

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