Antino and Pride Of Jenni Headline Tight Doomben Cup Betting Showdown

The elite action of the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival continues this Saturday with the Doomben Cup 2025, shaping up as a fascinating betting contest with Tony Gollan‘s in-form gelding Antino and Ciaron Maher‘s tenacious mare Pride Of Jenni locked in a tight battle for favouritism.

Antino is narrow favourite in 2025 Doomben Cup betting in Brisbane this weekend. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

The Group 1 $1 million Doomben Cup (2000m) has attracted a quality field of winter stayers, spearheaded by the locally trained Antino.

The six-year-old son of Redwood enters the race off a surprise last-start victory in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) on a wet Gold Coast track.

Punters have rallied behind Antino, installing him as the $3.50 favourite with Ladbrokes, as he aims to become the first horse to complete the Hollindale Stakes/Doomben Cup double since Zaaki in 2021 and deliver Gollan his maiden victory in the prestigious race on his home Doomben track, where the horse boasts an unblemished two-from-two record.

Antino, the runaway 6.5-length winner of last year’s Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield, has proven his ability to handle the 2000m journey under Gollan’s guidance this preparation.

Despite an unplaced run in the Hong Kong Mile last December and a disappointing fresh run in the All Aged Stakes, his Hollindale Stakes triumph has him primed for Saturday.

However, Antino will have to overcome a wide draw in gate 11 of 13, a barrier that last produced a winner in Comin’ Through (2018).

Regular rider Blake Shinn, a three-time Doomben Cup-winning jockey, retains the mount, chasing consecutive victories in the feature after his success aboard Bois D’Argent last year.

The primary threat to Antino’s dominance in the market comes from Pride Of Jenni ($3.80), Maher’s brilliant front-running mare.

The daughter of Pride Of Dubai regained her winning form with an emphatic two-plus length victory in the Listed Anniversary Vase (1600m) at Caulfield carrying 61kg on May 3.

She has drawn ideally in barrier one with Craig Newitt in the saddle, looking to become the first Doomben Cup winner from the inside gate since Beaten Up in 2013.

A proven performer at the 2000m distance, highlighted by her stunning 6.5-length victory over Via Sistina in last year’s Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in Sydney, Pride Of Jenni appears fit and ready for her Doomben debut back at Group 1 level.

Outside the leading duo, Fawkner Park and Eliyass are the next shortest-priced contenders at $7.

The Annabel & Rob Archibald-trained Fawkner Park, third in last year’s Doomben Cup, will be ridden by Ethan Brown from gate nine as he seeks his first win since last November’s Rosehill Gold Cup, also looking to frank the Hollindale form after finishing second to Antino.

The Archibalds also saddle up last year’s winner Bois D’Argent ($15) as he attempts to defend his crown, and My Oberon ($34).

Eliyass, prepared by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott, will start from the outside gate (13), aiming to bounce back from his distant finish in the Hollindale Stakes.

Master trainer Chris Waller, who has saddled-up three Doomben Cup winners since 2009, presents a strong hand with four runners: Lindermann, the 2023 Rosehill Guineas winner; triple Group 1 winner Militarize, seeking a return to form; Hollindale Stakes third-placegetter Kovalica, potentially underrated; and Osipenko, last seen finishing second in the Group 3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m).

Completing the field are Matthew Smith’s Floating, Kelly Schweida’s Miss Jolene, who impressed with a fourth in the Hollindale Stakes, and longshot Klondike.

The 2025 XXXX Doomben Cup is set to run as Doomben Race 8 at 3:57pm (AEST) on Saturday. 

2025 Doomben Cup Field & Barriers

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

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