Lightweight jockey Nikita Beriman has been booked to ride two year old Dubious in the 2019 Group 1 $700,000 Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Lightweight jockey Nikita Beriman will ride Dubious, above, in the 2019 Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm. Photo by Steve Hart.

Lightweight jockey Nikita Beriman will ride Dubious, above in aqua colours, in the 2019 Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm. Photo by Steve Hart.

Dubious kicked off his Brisbane Winter Carnival campaign with a dominant win against his own age in the Group 2 $200,000 Moet & Chandon Champagne Classic (1200m) at Doomben on May 11 but co-trainer Ciaron Maher, who trains in partnership with David Eustace is keen for the Not A Single Doubt colt to take on the older horses at weight for age in the Kingsford-Smith Cup.

Under the weight for scale a two year old colt will carry 48kg, hence the booking of the lightweight Beriman for the Kingsford-Smith Cup.

“When they get down to those weights of 48kg he’s definitely worth a shot,” Maher told Radio TAB’s Past The Post on Sunday.

“Nikita Beriman will ride.”

“Dubious is quite a robust, tough two-year-old. He’s very tractable. He’s quite tenacious.”

“If he can peel off a Group 1, it’s huge for a colt. History would tell you it’s always tough to do it, but he’s just such a well-rounded horse and quite durable.”

Maher and Eustace’s Brisbane Winter Carnival continued to roll on at Doomben last Saturday with Kenedna winning the Group 1 $700,000 Doomben Cup (2000m) while Etana was elevated to the top of the Queensland Oaks betting at Ladbrokes.com.au with her win in the Group 2 $200,000 The Roses (2000m).

Early betting for the Kingsford-Smith Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au has Dubious marked at $15 while the James Cummings trained pair of Home Of The Brave at $5.50 and Trekking at $7 head the market order.

Pre-post betting the Kingsford-Smith Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au: $5.50 Home Of The Brave, $7 Trekking, $8 I Am Excited, $10 The Bostonian, $11 Irithea Outback Barbie, $12 Victorem, $15 Brave Song, Dollar For Dollar, Dubious, Ringerdingding, $18 Encryption, $21 Chapter And Verse, Con Te Partiro, White Moss, Zoustyle, $26 or better the rest.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.