Group 1 action returns to Doomben this Saturday for the running of the Doomben 10,000. Can anyone beat The Everest winner Giga Kick who is fresh from a stunning victory in the All-Aged Stakes? With the Spirit Of Boom Classic, Chairman’s Handicap, and Rough Habit Plate also featured on the program, Queensland racing has never looked so good!
Doomben Race 5
#2 Sovereign Fund
Sovereign Fund caught the eye of punters first-up from a spell. The Capitalist colt has previously won second-up, and his record at the track and distance reads well for this event. Tim Clark can roll the dice and push forward from the middle gate on the big boy, and if he can find pole position during the early stages of the race, he may prove hard to run down. The soft conditions are advantageous, and I expect him to produce a peak performance on Saturday.
Cifrado is flying this campaign. His win fresh was blistering, and he was game in defeat at his latest. The Encryption colt deserves his shot at this level, and I am sure he will make his presence felt when the whips are cracking. Getting too far out of his ground during the race’s middle stages is the primary concern.
Addriel has made an impressive start to his career. The Harry Angel gelding is unlucky not to be undefeated, and he has shown a great constitution in his racing to date. From an inside draw, I expect him to box seat just behind the speed, and if the gaps appear at the right time, he can figure. The Annabel Neasham factor must be respected.
Suggested Bet: Sovereign Fund @ $5.50
Doomben RACE 6
#8 Kalapour
Kalapour can win despite drawing off the track. His win two-starts back at Eagle Farm was comprehensive, and he snatched defeat out of the jaws of victory at his latest. The drop back to 2000m is advantageous, and he should be rock-hard at this stage of his preparation. The War Command gelding is building a nice career record, and with even luck in transit, I expect him to trouble the scorer on Saturday.
Cepheus looks like the likely leader. The Sea The Stars gelding is ready to step out in distance, and he has been ultra-consistent this campaign. His best form reads exceptionally well for this event, and he will appreciate the significant drop in class. The current track conditions are the primary concern.
Nerve Not Verve can bounce back after a disappointing run in the Sydney Cup. The Shocking mare was game in defeat the start before in the Chairman’s, and her best performances put her in the finish on Saturday. Her recent winning strike rate is the biggest deterrent.
Suggested Bet: Kalapour @ $3.90
Doomben Race 7
#1 Kovalica
Kovalica is the real deal. The Ocean Park gelding was luckless first-up before scoring impressively in the QLD Guineas at his latest outing. He sat three-wide with no cover and still had the audacity to savage the line to taste victory. From barrier ten he will drift back and sit midfield, and if he is presented at the right time, I expect him to win again. Only bad luck in running will stop the Derby favourite on Saturday.
The Vowels is a winning machine. The Better Than Ready gelding put five consecutive wins together this campaign before running into the freakish Kovalica. He is the obvious danger to the favourite. However, he would need to find several lengths to reverse the result. I am unsure if the duration of his preparation is a positive.
Yasuke can run a drum at cricket score odds. The Maurice gelding was game in defeat at his latest, and he has been absolutely smashed since markets opened. The step out in the distance will suit, and I suspect this performance will decide if he pushes onto the Derby. His winning record is the biggest issue.
Suggested Bet: Kovalica @ $1.80
Doomben Race 8
#8 Giga Kick
Giga Kick arrives in Brisbane as a Group 1 winner after his stunning All-Aged Stakes victory. He got the monkey off his back, and I expect him to reach another level against a quality field on Saturday. The new sprinting King in waiting has one hoof on the crown, and I suspect the debate about our number one sprinter will be over by the time the Sunday morning papers are printed. From barrier four, the Scissor Kick gelding can slide back and find his feet, and once Craig Williams pushes the go button, he will leave them for dead. The drop back to 1200m is a small query.
Prince Of Boom is flying! The Spirit Of Boom gelding led them a merry dance first-up before being nabbed in the shadows at his latest outing. He deserves his shot at Group 1 glory, and I expect him to lead the field into the home straight. If he can pinch some cheap sectionals on top of the speed throughout, the race could be over before the final furlong. If he over races, he will hear the likes of Giga Kick and Aft Cabin coming at him in the shadows.
Aft Cabin was brilliant last start at Randwick on a bottomless track. He absolutely motored home over the top over a quality field despite bombing the start badly. I am glad they are keeping the Astern colt to the sprinting trip, and his trial leading into this event should have him cherry ripe after a bit of freshen-up. I am concerned this race may be an afterthought.
Suggested Bet: Giga Kick @ $1.65
