2025 Doomben Cup Day Preview 

The Queensland Racing Carnival continues this Saturday with nine top-class races on Doomben Cup Day. 

This year’s edition of the time-honoured Group 1 feature promises to be a fascinating contest, with bold frontrunner Pride Of Jenni taking on the local favourite Antino, along with a strong contingent of last start Hollindale Stakes runners who will relish the drier track conditions. 

While the Doomben Cup is the headline act, the support card is equally exciting, featuring five other black-type races. Among them is the Group 2 Roses, a key lead-up to the Group 1 Queensland Oaks in two weeks’ time. 

I’ve assessed each race and shared my top tips for Doomben Cup Day below. 

Holy Racket (6) has raced well since joining the Mark Currie stable from Victoria. 

The son of Swiss Ace loomed as a winning chance when resuming over 1000m at Eagle Farm but was overpowered by fitter horses late to finish 0.6L third.  

He then used some gas early to find the front in the Bat Out Of Hell at Ipswich but fought on gamely to finish a half-length second. 

He’ll strip fitter and has won two of three third-up races. 

Noel Callow takes the ride and should give the four-year-old gelding every chance from the inside barrier. 

1 Unit Each Way – Holy Racket (6)  

Tavs (13) has come back this preparation in outstanding form with back-to-back wins. 

The Mark Currie-trained Dundeel gelding overcame the outside barrier first-up to win by 2.3 lengths over 1400m at Eagle Farm. 

He returned to that venue last start and justified his short quote to easily win by 2.8 lengths. 

Once again, Noel Callow is confronted with a wide barrier but he should have enough time down the back straight to find some cover. 

He’ll strip fitter and is a previous third-up winner.  

1 Unit – Tavs (13) 

Sunrays (1) tasted defeat for the first time in four races at the hands of the talented Beadman in the G3 Ken Russell Memorial Classic last start. 

While the Kelly Schweida-trained Hellbent filly was beaten by 8.25 lengths, she did find the line well and better than the rest to finish second suggesting the rise to 1350m here will suit.  

She won all three of her races last preparation where she produced strong finishes which further supports this distance suiting. 

Tommy Berry should be able to settle in a prominent position. 

2 Units – Sunrays (1)    

Cannonball (1) was held up at a crucial time when resuming in the Listed Ascot Handicap at Eagle Farm first-up but to his credit, he picked up strongly in the closing 100m to finish 2.6 lengths eighth. 

The Tony Gollan-trained gelding was again held up last start in the Group 2 Victory Stakes but powered home once clear to finish 2.9 lengths fifth. 

He’ll strip fitter third-up and gets the services of Blake Shinn. 

The top jock should be able to settle midfield or better before letting rip in the straight.  

1 Unit Each Way – Cannonball (1)     

Amelita (3) returns to the races for the first time since finishing 2.3 lengths seventh in the Listed HKJC World Pool Sprint Classic at Flemington in March.  

The Chris Waller-trained filly has looked good in two trials leading into this where she’s worked to the line well under a hold.  

James McDonald reacquaints himself with the daughter of Zousain and boasts a great record on her of two wins including the Group 3 Red Roses Stakes and a close second from three rides.  

The wide barrier isn’t ideal but if ‘J Mac’ can find some cover then she fight out the finish. 

1 Unit – Amelita (3)      

Jennilala (4) ventures north after finishing 1.6 lengths sixth in the Group 2 Queen Of The South Stakes at Morphettville. 

There was merit in the run given she was pressured in front and only weakened in the final 100m and the fourth horse On Display franked the form by dominating the Adelaide Guineas at her next start. 

The Gavin Bedggood-trained mare opened this preparation with a strong win in the Group 3 Matron Stakes at Caulfield over this distance. 

Winkers go on for the first time and she maps to get a nice run on speed for Craig Newitt. 

1 Unit Each Way – Jennilala (4)   

Benagil (1) brings the A1 form to this year’s Group 2 The Roses.  

The Glen Thompson-trained filly chased home Australia’s premier staying three-year-old Treasurethe Moment in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes two starts ago to finish 1.3 lengths second.  

Last start she settled near the tail in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks before producing a devastating turn of foot to win comfortably by 1.3 lengths.  

She looked super working to the line strongly in a recent jump out prior to coming to Queensland.  

She’ll get back from the wide draw and storm home off the back of a strong speed.   

2 Units – Benagil (1)   

Antino (1) deserves favouritism in the Group 1 Doomben Cup following his outstanding performance to win the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes last start. 

The Tony Gollan-trained gelding was given a peach of a ride by Blake Shinn, settling three-wide near the tail away from the kick back before circling the field on the turn and putting them to the sword quickly to race away for a 3.5 length win.  

His breeding suggested that he could get a trip, but this is the first preparation that Gollan has put everything into making him a stayer and it’s proving to be a masterstroke. 

The Group 1 Toorak Handicap winner will enjoy a strong speed and I’m happy to back the Queenslander in this year’s Doomben Cup. 

2 Units – Antino (1)     

War Machine (11) returned in great order two starts ago in the Listed Hareeba Stakes at Mornington where he stormed home despite receiving interference to miss the win by a nose.  

The Team Hayes-trained gelding made up for that unlucky result last start when after enjoying a sweet run over 1400m at Caulfield, he let down strongly to win by 1.3 lengths. 

He’ll strip fitter, is a previous third-up winner and loves this distance. 

Blake Shinn is back in the saddle and should give him every chance from the nice draw. 

1 Unit – War Machine (11)