Godolphin are poised to saddle the quinella in Saturday’s Group 1 feature race in Brisbane, as classy stable mates Hauraki and It’s Somewhat continue to dominate 2016 Doomben Cup betting markets this week.
Hauraki remains favourite to win Saturday’s Group 1 Doomben Cup. Photo: Steve Hart
Hauraki has been one of Godolphin’s more consistent performers through recent seasons, but has interestingly been unable to return to winning form since last year’s edition of the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) more than 12 months ago.
Claiming a commendable career total of three wins and seven minors through sixteen starts, the Reset gelding resumed this time for a commendable third amongst classy company in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) on February 13th.
Savaging the line for third in the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on February 27th, Hauraki clearly relished a return to arguably his pet distance when a close second behind The United States in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) March 19th.
While somewhat going amiss when finishing the featured Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) on Day 2 of The Championships, Hauraki ran on for second in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) a fortnight ago and appears ready for a return to the winner’s stall on Saturday.
It’s Somewhat was luckless in transit before finishing fifth in the Hollindale Stakes last start, but has continued to firm to a current quote of $5 in early 2016 Doomben Cup betting markets.
Failing to make much of an impact through his autumn and spring campaigns in 2015, It’s Somewhat resumed in late November for second in the Listed Festival Stakes (1500m) before finishing a handy third in the Group 2 Villiers Stakes (1600m).
Clearly requiring a run when sixth in the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) first-up this time, the Dynaformer gelding posted consecutive wins in the Group 2 Ajax Stakes (1500m) and Group 3 Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m) before finishing sixth in the Queen Elizabeth.
UK import Raw impulse is yet to contest a race at black type level, but is so-far undefeated in three starts since arriving in Australia at the conclusion of 2015 and is locked of the third line of Doomben Cup betting with Volkstok’n’Barrell
Under the care of Darren Weir, the Makfi entire debuted for a comfortable win in the Adapt Australia BM78 (1500m) on March 24th before delivering a handy field a near four length win in the Selangor Turf Club BM78 (1800m) at Caulfield on April 23rd.
Having repeated the dose in the Racing Photos BM90 (2000m) on May 14th, Raw Impulse is undoubtedly the unknown quantity in the pending Doomben Cup field.
A three-time Group 1 winner, Volkstok’n’Barrell was arguably the run of the race in the Hollindale Stakes when third, but has been charged with carrying 59kgs in the Doomben Cup.
Spiritjim ($7) and Noble Protector ($9) figure as the only other runners at single figure quotes with Ladbrokes Australia in early 2016 Doomben Cup betting markets.
