The withdrawal of Gailo Chop last weekend has really opened up the Doomben Cup and we are set for a very open race in Brisbane on Saturday.
Leading trainer Chris Waller has almost half the Doomben Cup field, but he won’t have things his own way and there has been early money for the likes of Ambitious and Oregon’s Day.
Will Waller win another Group 1 in the Doomben Cup?
We have analysed all 13 horses in the field and our complete 2018 Doomben Cup tips can be found below.
It’s Somewhat
It’s Somewhat has not raced at anywhere near his best form this campaign, but he did have genuine excuses when he failed to fire in the Hollindale Stakes last start. If he is able to return to a semblance of his best form, he will be right in this race and he does offer some value at his current odds of $17.
Comin’ Through
Comin’ Through was given a horror ride by Robbie Fradd in the Hollindale Stakes and he was entitled to knock-up like he did late. His form before that run had been excellent and a repeat of his fifth place finish in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes would make him very tough to beat. The wide barrier draw isn’t ideal, but jockey Michael Walker has a good record on the son of Fastnet Rock and he is the value runner in this race at $9.50.
Ambitious
Ambitious has been inconsistent since he arrived in Australia. He was never able to get into the race first-up in the Australian Cup, but he showed his ability with his second place finish behind Gailo Chop in the Tancred Stakes before he had excuses in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. There is no doubt that he has ability and he is right in this race with a chance, but it has been a while between wins and I can’t get him as short as his current price.
Tom Melbourne
Tom Melbourne returned to his favourite finishing position when second in the Hollindale Stakes. There is no reason that he won’t run well again, but like normal he will likely find another horse that is better on the day.
One Foot In Heaven
One Foot In Heaven was well-backed ahead of his Australian racing debut in the Neville Sellwood Stakes, but he failed to fire and he was never able to get into the race in the Hollindale Stakes. He has not shown anything in Australia to suggest that he is capable of winning a race of this quality.
Man Of His Word
Man Of His Word put himself in Doomben Cup contention with his fast-finishing third in the Hollindale Stakes. That was something of a spike performance for the Lope De Vega gelding and it has been a long time between wins. I am happy to take him on.
Satono Rasen
Satono Rasen is the second Japanese runner in the Doomben Cup field. His Australian debut in the All Aged Stakes was poor, but he did produced an improve effort in the Hollindale Stakes and he is clearly heading in the right direction. He is another genuine winning chance and looks to have found his right price.
Life Less Ordinary
Life Less Ordinary could hardly have been more impressive when he won the Wagga Gold Cup in dominant fashion last start and he is absolutely flying this campaign. A race like the Doomben Cup does look beyond him at this stage of his racing career and he will get a long way back from the wide barrier draw.
Violate
Violate has failed to fire since he was sent to Brisbane and he was outclassed in the Hollindale Stakes. He has only recorded two race wins and I would be surprised if the third came in the Doomben Cup.
Tradesman
Tradesman bolted in to win like a good thing on the opening day of the Warrnambool Racing Carnival and we have seen on countless occasions just how much trainer Darren Weir can improve these tried horses. This is still a big step-up in class and Tradesman has never shown anything to suggest that he is capable of winning a race of this level.
Egg Tart
Egg Tart returned to a semblance of her best form in the Doomben Cup, but she was still handily beaten by Oregon’s Day and, unlike some of her rivals, didn’t have any real excuses. She does map to get a lovely trail into this race and we know she has talent, but I would still rather be on a number of other runners.
Oregon’s Day
Oregon’s Day was the big shortener in Doomben Cup betting following her impressive win in the Hollindale Stakes. There was plenty to like about the way that she ran away from her rivals in the concluding stages of the Hollindale Stakes and that suggests that she won’t have any issues running out a strong 2000 metres. Jim Byrne should be able to settle her in a lovely position just behind the leaders and she will have every possible chance to claim a maiden Group 1 win.
Abbey Marie
Abbey Marie has been freshened-up since she finished a credible fifth in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes. She is a mare that is capable of a high-rating performance on her day and the step-up to 2000 metres should suit, but it has been a long time between race wins. She looks to have found her right price around the $17 mark.