The Group 1 racing spotlight continues to shine on Queensland this Saturday for the running of the Doomben Cup. With the Group 2 The Roses and the Group 3 BRC Sprint also featuring, the Brisbane Winter has never looked so good! Sandown Hillside hosts the Winter Championship qualifiers, and with the winners gaining an invite to grand final day, a competitive meeting is on the cards!
Doomben Race 6
#5 King Kapa
King Kapa resumes with an air of expectation. The Capitalist gelding reached dizzy heights last campaign, and he looks well placed in this company first-up from a spell. His record at the trip must be respected, and he is drawn to perfection in barrier four. The Damien Lane factor will attract further market support, and he looks excellent in each-way value.
Spacewalk was brilliant without winning fresh. The Exosphere gelding savaged the line late, and he put the writing on the wall for a big preparation ahead. He traditionally performs well second-up and excels at the trip. He strips fitter after his recent outing and has been well supported since markets opened. The carpark draw is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: King Kapa @ $7.00
Doomben RACE 7
#2 Zoe's Promise
Zoe’s Promises was a dominant first-up winner at Eagle Farm. She led from barrier to post and put her rivals to the sword a long way from home. The step out to 1600m is advantageous; she looks well-placed in this company. The middle gate will provide several options for Andrew Mallyon, and with even luck in transit, I expect her to fight out the finish. The Kris Lees camp is training winners for fun at present, and there has been an avalanche of money for the talented Swear mare since markets were framed.
Thalassophile is too consistent to pot. The Not A Single Doubt mare got the job done last start on a bottomless Sunshine Coast track, and I suspect she is ready to continue on her winning ways on Saturday. The mile is ideal at this stage of her campaign, and her versatility puts her into all winning conversations. Barrier eleven is her biggest obstacle.
Suggested Bet: Zoe’s Promise @ $5.00
#13 Scarlet Oak
Scarlet Oak looks the best bet on a very competitive program of racing. The lightly raced Kermadec filly was a brilliant last start winner at Newcastle, and I suspect she is ready to raise the bar fourth-up from a spell on Saturday. The James McDonald and Chris Waller combination must be respected, and it may pay dividends to watch for any further significant market support. There is plenty of upside and improvement to come for the talented three-year-old.
Molly Bloom will have supporters after a luckless Australian debut. The Kiwi visitor was blocked for a run at a crucial stage and looked a good thing licked. Her record at the distance must be respected, and I expect her to get the run of the race from a perfect inside barrier. She may need one more run under her belt before exploding.
Suggested Bet: Scarlet Oak @ $3.50
Doomben Race 9
#3 Kovalica
Kovalica has had more chances than David Warner. The Ocean Park gelding is always thereabouts, and he desperately needs to put another win on the board. He was good in the Queen Elizabeth and savaged the line in the Hollindale. The 2000m is advantageous, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on most of his rivals. His inability to get the job done is the primary concern. Take on trust!
Numerian turned back the clock last start. The Holy Roman Emperor gelding destroyed his opponents, and he looks well placed to record another victory on Saturday. I suspect he will roll forward and pilot the field from barrier seven, and if he can pinch some cheap sectionals throughout, he will look the winner as they run for the doctor. His record at the distance is the biggest deterrent.
Suggested Bet: Kovalica @ $3.30
Sandown Race 8
#4 Tijuana
Tijuana is over the odds! The American Pharoah gelding strips fitter after a couple of luckless runs, and his best performance here is good enough to cause the biggest boil over since Polly left the kettle on. The 1600m is perfect at this stage of the preparation, and if he can overcome the awkward barrier during the early stages of the race, I expect him to fight out the finish. Can figure at the cricket-score odds.
Hennessy Lad is coming off a forgive run. The Belardo gelding coped late interference at Bendigo, and I suspect he will appreciate the drop-in class here. He finds his pet distance on Saturday and should be ready to explode fourth-up from a spell. From the middle gate, he will sit one out in the running line, and if he is presented with his run at the right time, he will make his presence felt in the shadows. He needs to recapture his mojo!
Suggested Bet: Tijuana @ $26.00
Sandown Race 9
#12 Bigolino
Bigolino is ready to win. The Good Journey gelding was good first-up in a red-hot form race, and he beat all bar the talented Chorlton Lane. He traditionally performs well second-up, and his record at the distance is near perfect. Barrier one looks ominous, and if he jumps away cleanly with the field, he may prove hard to run down. The step up in grade is the primary concern.
Anilla can run well at a decent price. The Valentia gelding has been knocking on the door all preparation, and I suspect his next win is just around the corner. He is rock-hard fit after several challenging runs this campaign under his belt, and he has been calling out for the longer trip since the moon landing. A must for all broader multiples and exotics.
Suggested Bet: Bigolino @ $7.00
