Addictive Habit To Press Forward In 2015 Doomben Cup

Trainer Lee Somervell has revealed that he will be instructing jockey Michael Cahill to press forward on Addictive Habit in the early stages of the 2015 Doomben Cup this weekend.

Michael Cahill has been booked to ride Addictive Habit in the 2015 Doomben Cup in Brisbane this weekend. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Michael Cahill has been booked to ride Addictive Habit in the 2015 Doomben Cup in Brisbane this weekend. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Addictive Habit has been ridden as an on-pace runner for the majority of his racing career and Somervell told the New Zealand Racing Desk that he will not be changing his tactics with the Colombia gelding and he expects the five-year-old to challenge for the lead in the early stages of the Doomben Cup this weekend.

“He’s an on pace runner so we will be using that early speed on Saturday to try and get over,” Somervell said.

“With Leebaz in there the pace should be on and that’s what my bloke needs.

“Michael Cahill will ride him and I’m delighted to have him on.

“He’s been out here a couple of times this week to ride him and he’s happy as well.”

Addictive Habit took out the Group 2 Bakeries Mile (1600m) at the end of his summer campaign and he returned to racing with a second place finish in the Pyramid Trucking Handicap (1400m) before he failed to fire when eighth in the Group 1 Easter Handicap (1600m) at Ellerslie on April 18.

Somervell admits that Addictive Habit is deserving of his place as an outsider in 2015 Doomben Cup betting markets, but he is hopeful that the run will give him a good guide on where to head with the Group 2 winner this preparation as the five-year-old has also been included in the nominations for the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1350m) at Doomben on June 6.

“He’s quoted over here at 50-1 and we’ve been done no favours with that outside draw, but we’ve got to cop that,” Somervell said.

“It would be nice to think we can still get a slice of it and then look forward.

“There are a lot of options over here for him.

“I’ve thrown in a nomination for the Stradbroke Handicap and that will depend on the weather.

“He can sprint well and if there was any rain it would bring the quicker ones back to him.”

Addictive Habit is currently available at 2015 Doomben Cup odds of $61 with Ladbrokes Australia, while Toowoomba Cup winner Pornichet ($4.20) is favourite from Hollindale Stakes winner Leebaz ($5), veteran gelding I’m Imposing ($8), Group 1 winning mare Silent Achiever ($8.50) and market mover Gypsy Diamond ($9).

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.