2017 Doomben Cup Day Preview & Tips

2017 Doomben Cup Day is an exciting day’s racing and is headlined by a talent-stacked edition of the Group 1 feature race, contested over 2000m.

Doncaster Mile winner It's Somewhat is favourite to win Saturday's Group 1 Doomben Cup in Brisbane. Photo: Steve Hart

Doncaster Mile winner It’s Somewhat is favourite to win Saturday’s Group 1 Doomben Cup in Brisbane. Photo: Steve Hart

Some of the Brisbane Winter Carnival’s most talented horses will be in action at Doomben on Saturday and we have analysed every runner and race in detail, in order to help you find a winner on Doomben Cup Day.

The action is set to get underway with the running of the LED Superscreens Class 6 Handicap (1615m) at 12:10pm and will conclude with the Group 2 BRC Sprint (1350m) at 4:36pm.

Race 1 (12:10pm) LED Superscreens Class 6 Handicap (1615m)

A capacity field of fifteen milers is set to step out for Race 1 on Doomben Cup Day and several horses would not look out of place in the winner’s stall. Emphasis (barrier 2) has found strong form leading into the race and has drawn well, but he has also been charged with overcoming the 60kgs topweight. Gully Command (barrier 3) could receive the run of the race from an inside draw and has the notable advantage of Jeff Lloyd in the saddle, while Waltham (barrier 15) is seeking a third-consecutive race win, but faces a big step up in class and may have too much work to early from a sticky barrier. Leading Queensland trainer Tony Gollan is offered two good chances in Heart Of A Warrior (barrier 11) and Lord Coconuts (barrier 14).

Tip: No. 6 Gully Command – Each Way ($7.50/$2.80)

Race 2 (12:46pm) Listed Oxlade Stakes (1200m)

The first black type race on Doomben Cup Day will be contested when fifteen two-year-olds line up for the Listed Oxlade Stakes. Peter & Paul Snowden have an excellent strike rate in Brisbane and will saddle last-start winner Allied Power (barrier 13) in the Oxlade Stakes. The colt will have to overcome a wide draw, but is a class above most of this field and will be ridden by Hugh Bowman. Zukaz (barrier 8) returned to the races for a credible fifth at Eagle Farm on May 3rd and will need to take plenty of benefit from the run if he is any chance in this race. Chris Munce is spoiled for choice with his current crop of two-year-olds and will saddle live hope Skate To Paris (barrier 3) in the Oxlade Stakes. Magnufighter (barrier 9) carries winning form into the race and is not without a chance.

Tip: No. 2 Allied Power ($3.70)

Race 3 (1:21pm) Listed Chief De Beers Quality (1050m)

The time-honoured Chief De Beers Quality has drawn an open field of sprinters this year and there is a case to be made for close to the entire field. The Virginian (barrier 9) ran third in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap last winter and will make his competitive return in the Chief De Beers. Having trialled well, the horse should receive a good lead into the race from his draw. Mount Nebo (barrier 5) is a proven performer amongst fields better than this, but he failed to fire at his last start. Prompt Return (barrier 11) did that when an impressive winner of the Bat Out Of Hell Handicap (900m) on May 6th and he should again find himself right in the finish of this race.

Tip: No. 4 Prompt Return – Each Way ($4.80/$2.05)

Race 4 (2:01pm) Harding Steel Three-Years-Old Plate (1200m)

An open and capacity field of three-year-olds has been confirmed for Race 4 on Doomben Cup Day, including Tactical Advantage (barrier 2). The Bel Esprit gelding was a strong performer for James Cummings through early autumn, but appears to have tapered off at his two most-recent starts. He has received a freshen-up since finishing mid-pack in the Group 2 Arrowfield Sprint (1200m) and should relish a step back in class here. Toowoomba horse With A Promise (barrier 6) returned to winning form at her last start and has drawn ideally into this field, with a very manageable weight. Tiyatrolani (barrier 4) failed to fire last time out, but has the ability to win a race like this on her day.

Tip: No. 1 Tactical Advantage ($4.50)

Race 5 (2:41pm) Listed Bright Shadow Quality (1200m)

The Bright Shadow Quality has attracted a classy field of fillies and mares and like many of the races at Doomben on Saturday, there is a number of live chances. Brook Road (barrier 9) posted her one black type win at Doomben and is sure to carry benefit into the race after a first-up eighth at Hawkesbury three weeks ago, while Madotti (barrier 13) is another mare who will improve second-up in the race. Sold For Song (barrier 20) finds ideal condition in the Bright Shadow Quality, but has been charged with overcoming an extremely wide barrier. Queensland trainer Robert Heathcote is offered two good chances in Bidii Babe (barrier 14) and first-up winner Not A Happy Camper (barrier 150).

Tip: No. 1 Brook Road – Each Way ($11/$4)

Race 6 (3:21pm) Group 2 The Roses (2000m)

The final step on the traditional path towards the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2400m) in a fortnight, The Roses has drawn a smart field of three-year-old fillies. Kenedna (barrier 4) ran second in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) a fortnight ago and will be extremely tough to beat in The Roses, particularly after drawing ideally into the field. Chris Waller arguably has the best chance of displacing Kenedna after confirming all of Dawn Wall (barrier 12), Invincibella (barrier 2) and Oklahoma Girl (barrier 13) in The Roses field. Last-start winner Lipstick Lover (barrier 3) leads the local charge which is also set to include the likes of Candika (barrier 8) and Fallacy (barrier 10).

Tip: No. 2 Kenedna ($3.50)

Race 7 (4:01pm) Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m)

The Doomben Cup has drawn arguably its best field since the turn of the century and it is a particularly open betting race. Doncaster Mile winner It’s Somewhat (barrier 6) held on to win the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) a fortnight ago and should be right in the finish of this race from a good draw, while consistent galloper Sense Of Occasion (barrier 18) should relish a return to 2000m, but has drawn the carpark. Preferment (barrier 17), Vanbrugh (barrier 12) and Single Gaze (barrier 14) are all Group 1 winners at the distance and would not look out of place saluting again on Saturday, while classy import Articus (barrier 8) is primed to win and is every chance of justifying his tag as race favourite. John Thompson will saddle Maurus (barrier 16) and Astronomos (barrier 11) in the race and both should find their ideal racing conditions.

Tip: No. 9 Maurus – Each Way ($16/$5.10)

Race 8 (4:36pm) Group 3 BRC Sprint (1350m)

Doomben Cup Day will draw to a close following the running of the BRC Sprint. Jungle Edge (barrier 12) has returned to racing in career-best form this time and will prove tough to beat if it rains, while local Sir Moments (barrier 15) has a habit of pulling out big performances in races like this. First-up winner Ulmann (barrier 2) has drawn ideally into the field and should be in a great position to run on in the final straight, while Godolphin hopeful Federal (barrier 10) has built perfectly in form through two starts this time and appears ready to peak when he takes his place in the BRC Sprint field third-up.

Tip: No. 6 Federal – Each Way ($7.50/$2.85)

About The Author

Jared Timms

Jared graduated with a journalism degree in 2011. He is a keen sports fan and has enjoyed many accolades for his lively writing style and comprehensive coverage of major sporting events and horse racing. Today, you can find Jared cheering on his beloved Manchester City with a beer in hand.