Doomben 10,000: Preview and predictions

So after a somewhat successful weekend last week, I’m back again to give you my preview and predictions on the Doomben 10,000 over 1350 metres for the sprinters.

Hope you all are enjoying my previews so far as this will become a regular feature by yours truly. Alright, let’s get into it!

The first horse I’m taking a look at is Delectation from the Chris Waller yard to be ridden by James Mcdonald, he will jump from barrier two.

This is a Group 1 winner last prep who won the Darley Classic defeating Chautauqua which is great form for this race. But ever since that day he hasn’t lived up to expectations and hasn’t run any better than fifth.

Delectation is in the market so punters suggest that he can turn things around here with a win. He should get a good run with that barrier and with a good jockey/trainer combination he could be in the mix.

Fell Swoop, trained by Matthew Dale to be ridden by Zac Purton, comes down from Hong Kong to take the ride and will jump from barrier one. This gelding has been very competitive at the top level without winning, last start he finished fifth only beaten 1.6 lengths by Malaguerra.

Two starts back he won a Group 2 race defeating Didntcostalot by 0.4 lengths at this track so that won’t be an issue. The only issue with this galloper is that he hasn’t been at this distance before, which may test him. But if he does get the distance, he is too consistent to leave out and is definitely in the mix.

Dothraki, trained by the Snowdens to be ridden by Blake Shinn, jumps from barrier six. This is another gelding who has been competitive at the top level as of late but is yet to have success at the highest level. Last start this gelding ran a close second to Malaguerra only beaten 0.1 lengths in the Group 1 BTC Cup. He will be going in my numbers as a huge threat!

Hooked, trained by John Thompson to be ridden by Jim Byrne, will jump from barrier three and is first-up on this occasion. Hooked will be big odds come race day but he has been known to pull out a big run fresh.

He has had two trials so he will be fit enough for this assignment but I can’t see him figuring here. I’ll watch and see how he runs for future investments and as he gets out to a mile. Keep a close eye on Hooked closing late.

Music Magnate, trained by Bjorn Baker to be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, will jump from barrier six and comes into this third-up with a win and a second placing to its name so far this preparation. First-up Music Magnate won a Group 3 race defeating Knoydart by 0.1 lengths and second-up he bumped into a smart one called Clearly Innocent which defeated him by 0.8 lengths.

This looks like a smart galloper but can it provide Bjorn Baker with his first Group 1? Definitely in the mix but I can’t see them knocking off the favourite.

Now we get to the favourite of the race, Azkadellia, from the Ciaron Maher yard to be ridden by Mark Zahra. Will jump from barrier ten but the wide gate shouldn’t be an issue. Has had a freshen up since winning the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf in which he defeated Heavens Above by two lengths.a

This galloper has class written all over her and will be one to watch come the spring time. She has been a very consistent mare through out this preparation and through out last preparation. The distance won’t be an issue and she should be winning this race, rates on top for me.

One last horse to look at before I get to my selections is Divine Centuri who paid a late entry fee to get into this race. This filly is trained by Stuart Kendrick to be ridden by Ryan Wiggins and will jump from barrier eight. She will be at long odds but by all reports she is going well.

Two starts back she won a listed race at the Sunshine Coast defeating Sold For Song by 1.5 lengths and last start she defeated Wicked Intent by one length. She looks a good young filly in the making but is out of her depth here. Look to see how she runs here and then follow her after this.

Selections
7. Azkadellia
6. Music Magnate
2. Fell Swoop
3. Dothraki