The 2017 Doomben 10,000 Form Guide is essential reading ahead of the Brisbane Winter Carnival’s first major sprint at Doomben Racecourse on Saturday.
Russian Revolution is set to start the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 race favourite. Photo: Steve Hart
A number of standout performers from the recent Sydney Autumn Carnival have been confirmed in a talented Doomben 10,000 field and we have analysed all fifteen entrants in detail, in order to help you find the Doomben 10,000 winner.
Three-year-old Russian Revolution should prove extremely tough to beat in the Doomben 10,000, but faces plenty of competition in sprinters like Fell Swoop, Music Magnate and Derryn.
Fell Swoop
Fell Swoop has steadily built to the task through three starts this time in and is a real chance of posting his first Group 1 win in the Doomben 10,000, if he can overcome the wide and awkward barrier 14. Unlucky not to post a maiden win at the highest level in 2016 when he was placed in the company no fewer than four times, the Not A Single Doubt gelding placed sixth in each of the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) and Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) upon resuming this time, before running third in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m). Having trialled well a fortnight ago, Fell Swoop will be partnered by veteran Brisbane hoop Damian Browne in the Doomben 10,000.
Japonisme
Group 1 winner Japonisme has been unable to return to the same racing highs that he once experienced through four starts this year and probably faces too great a task in the classy Doomben 10,000 field. The Choisir gelding was last seen finishing ninth of ten in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m), but has trialled well since and could find a good position just off the speed from the rails draw.
Takedown
Takedown has so-far been disappointing in two starts this year and he faces a mammoth task in returning to winning form on Saturday, after drawing into the Doomben 10,000 field in the outside barrier. Winner of the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) in Perth at the conclusion of an outstanding spring campaign, the Stratum gelding ran a credible sixth in the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) in December. Beating only one runner home in the Group 3 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m) first-up, Takedown faded late to finish fourth in the Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) a fortnight, but has reportedly stripped fitter for the run.
Rebel Dane
Tough veteran Rebel Dane is another horse that is yet to find top condition this time in, but it is tough to know what you will get with the multiple Group 1 winner and he is more than capable of winning this race on his day. A smart winner of the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) most notably in 2016, the California Dane entire should enjoy another crack at 1200m on Saturday after failing to make up the distance and ninth in both the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) and the TJ Smith Stakes so-far.
Music Magnate
Defending champion Music Magnate carries winning form into the Doomben 10,000 and should find a good position on the pace from a central draw. The Written Tycoon gelding relished the conditions at Doomben last year, albeit when the feature race was run on the 1350m course and he never appeared in doubt when he jogged clear of a small but smart field to win the Victory Stakes a fortnight ago. Only four horses have successfully defended the Doomben 10,000, however leading Queensland hoop Jeff Lloyd retains the ride on Music Magnate and the horse is primed to deliver Bjorn Baker his second career Group 1 win.
Redzel
One of two for Peter & Paul Snowden in the Doomben 10,000 field, Redzel is another horse that is unlucky not to have posted a Group 1 win this season and should prove extremely tough to beat on Saturday from the ideal barrier 3. Running second in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m) first-up on March 2nd, the Snitzel gelding again finished an agonizingly-close second in The Galaxy before returning to winning form in the Hall Mark Stakes last time out. A jockey is yet to be confirmed for the ride on Redzel this weekend, however the horse’s ability and proven form suggests he will be right in the finish of the Doomben 10,000.
Counterattack
Counterattack savaged the line for second in the Hall Mark Stakes last time out and he is not without a chance of saluting in the Doomben 10,000 at odds, if he brings his A-game. Counterattack clearly required a run when he finished at the rear of the field in the Group 1 Black Caviar Stakes (1000m) first-up on February 18th and while he didn’t beat a horse home in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m), there was plenty to like about his run, as he was forced to change course three times with no luck in transit. In barrier 2 and with leading Kiwi hoop Opie Bosson in the saddle, Counterattack is capable of a cheeky run in the Doomben 10,000.
Start Wondering
Kiwi raider Start Wondering has been a strong and consistent performer throughout his entire racing career to date and is a live chance of being crowned the Doomben 10,000 winner on Saturday. Returning to the track for an impressive win in the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, the Eighth Wonder gelding placed second in the Group 1 Telegraph (1200m) before returning to winning form in the Group 1 NRM Sprint (1400m) on February 11th. Last seen finishing second behind Kawi in the Group 1 Haunui Farm Classic (1600mn) on February 26th, Start Wondering has trialled well ahead of his Australian tenure and is one to watch from a central draw.
Upstart Pride
Toowoomba local Upstart Pride has found strong form this season, but he faces a big step up in class into the Doomben 10,000 field and will have to muster a career-best performance to come close to the first three. Winner of the Listed Goldmarket (1200m) on the Gold Coast on March 18th, the Tycoon Ruler gelding worked to the line well to finish fifth in the Listed Weetwood Handicap (1200m) at Toowoomba on April 8th.
The Monstar
Albury trainer Brett Cavanough has a big opinion of The Monstar and is confident that the horse will run out of his skin in the Doomben 10,000 first-up. The California Dane gelding has not been seen at the races since early January, but posted a number of strong results in his summer campaign including a comfortable win in the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m) on December 17th. Up-and-coming Queensland hoop James Orman will take the ride in the Doomben 10,000.
Sooboog
Darren Weir is the king of placing his horses in the right races and while Sooboog has yet to produce much in two starts this time, could be ready to find peak form in the Doomben 10,000. The Snitzel entire simply ran out of track when sixth in the Group 3 RN Irwin Stakes (1100m) on April 22nd and should relish a step-up to 1200m this weekend.
Russian Revolution
Three-year-old Russian Revolution has returned to racing in outstanding condition this year and is set to start the Doomben 10,000 as a clear race favourite after drawing the ideal barrier 5. The Snitzel colt recorded a smart win in The Galaxy first-up this year and while probably failing to handle the heavy conditions after leading in the TJ Smith Stakes, still finished a credible sixth. Russian Revolution has trialled well leading into the Doomben 10,000 and while he is yet to have a confirmed jockey, is the horse to beat on Saturday.
Derryn
Derryn has run out of his skin this season and is not without a chance of an upset win in the Doomben 10,000. The three-year-old has shown plenty of ability through his entire racing career so far, but has returned to the track for wins in both the Group 3 Zeditave Stakes (1200m) and Group 2 Arrowfield Sprint (1200m) most notably this time; the latter on Day 2 of The Championships. The Hinchinbrook colt will be partnered by in-form hoop Regan Bayliss from a good barrier and with only 57kgs in tow.
El Divino
The second for Darren Weir in the Doomben 10,000 field, El Divino is another horse has produced smart performances this season, but made require some early luck from barrier 11. A half-brother to champion mare Winx, El Divino placed second behind subsequent Group 1 winner Tivaci in the Listed Kensington Stakes (1100m) first-up, and while going amiss in two subsequent starts, ran well for fourth in the Listed Redelva Stakes (1100m) last time out on April 22nd.
In Her Time
In Her Time has produced some good results this year, but will return from a freshen-up in the Doomben 10,000 and will probably need the run to return to peak order. Winner of a pair of Sydney minors over summer, the Time Thief mare posted consecutive wins in the Group 2 Breeders’ Classic (1200m) and Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) before running fifth in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) last time out on March 11th.
