Godolphin galloper Hauraki is currently available at 2016 Doomben Cup odds of $3.50 and is set to start the Group 1 event in Brisbane this afternoon as a clear favourite.
Hauraki has the chance to capture a maiden Group 1 in the Doomben Cup this afternoon. Photo by: Steve Hart
Hauraki has not recorded a race win since he took out the Tulloch Stakes at Rosehill Gardens in March last year, but he has been a consistent performer this preparation and he finished in the placings in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on February 13, the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at the same venue on February 27, the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 19 and the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast on May 7.
The Reset gelding is set to wear blinkers for the first time in the Doomben Cup and he has been a steady favourite throughout the week.
Hauraki may be on top of Doomben Cup betting markets, but the best-backed runner has Volkstok’n’barrell, who is now into $5 to return to winning form.
Volkstok’n’barrell took out the Haunui Classic (1600m) and Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) in New Zealand before he made the trip to Australia and he stamped himself as a genuine Doomben Cup contender with a fast-finishing third in the Hollindale Stakes.
It’s Somewhat has been leapfrogged by Volkstok’n’barrell on the second line of Doomben Cup betting markets, but he is still available at a quote of $5.50 to record a maiden win at Group 1 level.
The imported galloper started his autumn campaign with wins in both the Group 2 Ajax Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 12 and the Group 3 Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m) at the same venue on March 26 before he ran well without a great deal of luck in both the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Hollindale Stakes.
Leebaz, Spiritjim and Noble Protector are the only other horses available at single figured Doomben Cup odds and they are all on the third line of betting at a quote of $9.
Noble Protector has been rock solid at $9 since Doomben Cup betting markets opened earlier in the week, while there has been plenty of money for Leebaz and Spiritjim in the past 24 hours.
The other horses in the Doomben Cup betting market have been on the drift and there is double figure odds on offer for Our Ivanhowe ($8.50 out to $11), Messene ($16 out to $19), Maurus ($15 out to $21) and Lady Le Fay ($14 out to $18).
