Kiwi Group 1 winner Sound Proposition is among the thirty-five nominations for the 2017 Group 1 $650,000 Hardy Brothers Doomben Cup (2000m) at Doomben on May 20.

The Chris Waller trained Preferment, above, is among the nominations for the 2017 Doomben Cup at Doomben. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott trained Sound Proposition is coming off a last start fifth in the Group 2 NZ$200,000 Manco Easter Stakes (1600m) on April 22, the same race he won twelve months earlier when it was rated at Group 1 level.

Sound Proposition had to carry 58kg in this year’s Easter Stakes and connections are keen to tackle weight for age in the Doomben Cup.

“It was a very good run and he carried two kilos more than anything that finished in front of him,” O’Sullivan told the New Zealand Racing Desk.

“Through nobody’s fault, he was going backwards between the 800 and 600 when he should have been going forwards so he could have made it interesting with a bit more luck.

“He’s maturing now, he’s always been a very weak racehorse.

“The owners are keen to have a crack at the Doomben Cup first-up.

“It’s probably the toughest one, but if for any reason he didn’t measure up then he can always go back to handicaps.”

Addictive Habit is also a Group 1 winner from across the Tasman with a win in the 2015 Group 1 NZ$250,000 Ormond Memorial (2040m) at Hastings on his record.

The Lee Sommervell trained seven year old has been off the scene for over twelve months and was last seen running eighth in the Group 1 NZ$200,000 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham in January last year.

Other Group 1 winners to be nominated for the Doomben Cup are the Chris Waller pair of Preferment and Vanbrugh, Doncaster Mile winner It’s Somewhat, 2015 Doomben Cup winner Pornichet, the Nick Olive trained Single Gaze and Lindsay Park’s European import Ventura Storm.

As well as Preferment and Vanbrugh, Waller has also nominated English import Life Less Ordinary and the consistent McCreery for the Doomben Cup.

Pornichet was prepared by Gai Waterhouse when he won the 2015 Doomben Cup but is now trained by Caulfield mentor Ciaron Maher who has also entered the promising Pemberley and six year old Hazzabeel for this year’s Doomben Cup.

Victoria’s leading trainer Darren Weir has four nominations for the Doomben Cup, Amelie’s Star, Articus, Master Of Arts and Star Exhibit.

Eagle Farm trainer Desleigh Forster has nominated Toowoomba Cup winner Cylinder Beach who will be carrying the flag for the locals in the Doomben Cup.

The final acceptances for the Doomben Cup will be taken on Wednesday May 17, 2017.

2017 Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) nominations