While Flemington hosts the race that stops the nation, Brisbane punters have a strong 10-race card at Doomben to enjoy this Melbourne Cup Day.
The Cup has plenty of Queensland interest, with Robbie Dolan back aboard Knight’s Choice for a third tilt at the Melbourne Cup.
I’ve worked through the Doomben form to find the key runners and best betting angles.
Let’s get stuck into the card and make the most of Cup Day.
SPIRIT OF TORQUE (7) is still a maiden after nine starts but strikes her best chance to finally break through.
The Stu & Bayley Kendrick-trained filly recorded the quickest final 400m of the race when finishing just under three lengths third to Win Star last start over this course and distance.
She’s rock-hard fit and has placed in four of her nine starts, which is a lot better than her rivals, who have combined for two placings in total.
A decent speed will aid her cause.
| 7. Spirit Of Torque (7) 56kgx7243 | |||
| Racing well recently. Last start got back early 3rd in a small field in a 3yo Hcp at this track on October 17 over 1600m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Win Star carrying 52kg at $9.50. The race before that 4th of 7 in a 3yo Mdn-Sw at this track on October 5 over 1660m, 4 len behind Great Times Ahead carrying 53kg at $4. Working up to a win. | |||
SWANFELS (5) enjoyed the rise to this distance at Ipswich last start for the first time.
The Desleigh Forster-trained mare settled second in the run before joining the leader entering the straight and proving too strong to the line, winning by just over half a length.
She rarely runs a bad race, having finished outside the top three only three times in nine starts.
The outside barrier isn’t ideal, but given she wanted to overdo things when settling back two starts ago, Daniel Moor will likely drive forward early.
| 5. Swanfels (8) 59kgx3361 | |||
| Last start favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 0.6 len in a 3&4yo Bm65 at Ipswich on October 8 over 1666m defeating Cryption’s Desire carrying 55kg at $3.40. Before that 6th of 11 in a Cl1-Sw at Eagle Farm on September 23 over 1400m, 3.5 len behind Farset carrying 58kg at $4.40. | |||
DRAW ATTENTION (3) is looking to win her third consecutive race and looks hard to beat.
The Tony Gollan-trained mare worked strongly to the line two starts ago over 1800m at the Sunshine Coast to get up in the final strides.
She stepped up to this distance at the Gold Coast last start and put on a clinic, racing on speed before dashing clear to brain her rivals by 8.18 lengths.
There doesn’t look to be a great deal of speed in the race, which should see Ben Thompson control proceedings.
| 3. Draw Attention (2) 58kgx4311 | |||
| Recent form sound. At the latest run favourite; scored a big 8 len win in a Bm62 at Gold Coast on October 17 over 2235m in soft going defeating Lord Protector carrying 56kg at $2.35. Before that favourite; came from midfield and won by a long-neck in a 0 – 60 at Sunshine Coast on September 27 over 1800m defeating Clubman with 58.5kg at $1.55. | |||
MALAMAGIC (5) trialled well before his debut over 1000m at Eagle Farm but had the misfortune of encountering a good one.
The Tony Gollan-trained colt enjoyed a nice run but was no match for Dragon Link, who dashed clear to win by 3.85 lengths. Malamagic easily defeated the rest, with third three lengths away.
Dragon Link franked the form on Friday when leading all the way at Ipswich as a $1.40 favourite.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and should enjoy a nice run on speed for Daniel Moor.
| 5. Malamagic (4) 58kg2 | |||
| Was well in the market at debut, sat on speed throughout when 2nd of 9 in a Mdn-Sw at Eagle Farm on October 14 over 1000m, slow going 4 len behind Dragon Link carrying 56kg at $4.40. | |||
HOLY TERROR (3) returned in good order last start over 1000m at Eagle Farm with a close second.
The Stu & Bayley Kendrick-trained gelding found the front in the straight but was nailed on the outside late to finish a head second.
He’ll strip fitter second-up, and a wet track won’t faze him, given that was a Soft 7 and he finished runner-up on debut on a Heavy 10 deck at Ipswich.
Ryan Maloney will use his mount’s early speed to drive forward and counter the wide barrier.
| 3. Holy Terror (11) 58kg28×2 | |||
| Dual acceptor. Second run back. First-up after five months made ground from midfield; 2nd of 10 in a 3yo Mdn-Sw at Eagle Farm on October 21 over 1000m, on a slow track; nose behind Moonlit Aura carrying 58kg at $3.90. Previously second-up 8th of 12 in a 2yo Hcp at this track on June 3 over 1110m, 8 len behind Tengun Tommy carrying 57.5kg at $9. | |||
MYSTICAL (15) resumes here from a short let-up for new trainer Todd Pollard.
The Exceed And Excel filly was last seen in a Super Maiden at Warwick Farm, where she tried hard to finish fifth to Chuchichaschtli, who subsequently won the Listed Tapp-Craig.
Pollard has a knack for turning horses’ fortunes around, and this girl might be a likely candidate, given she finished second to Paradoxium in the Wyong Magic Million 2YO last year.
She’s drawn a touch sticky but gets the services of Ben Thompson.
| 15. Mystical (9) 55kg435×5 | |||
| Second-up. Comes off a 41-day let-up. First-up after four months 5th of 9 in a Superf&M Mdn-Sw at Warwick Farm on September 23 over 1200m, on a slow track; 5.5 len behind Chuchichaschtli carrying 55.5kg at $7.50. Previously second-up 3rd of 8 in a F&M Mdn-Sw at Illawarra Grange on May 30 over 1300m, on a slow track; 2.5 len behind Rose Of Fenway with 55.5kg at $3.50. | |||
FLEETING BOOM (3) didn’t have the best of luck on debut, getting caught wide throughout, but still fought gamely to finish 2.91 lengths fourth.
That Eagle Farm race has proven to produce good form, with four subsequent winners coming out of it.
The Tony Gollan-trained filly improved second-up over this course and distance to lead all the way for a three-quarter-length win.
She’s drawn to get a beautiful run on speed for Ben Thompson.
| 3. Fleeting Boom (2) 58.5kg41 | |||
| Had two starts to date. At very big odds at debut, made some head-way from midfield; 4th of 15 in a 3yo Mdn at Eagle Farm on September 19 over 1200m, slow going 3 len behind Graffitude carrying 54kg at $51. Last start favourite; won by 0.8 len in a Mdn-Sw at this track on October 5 over 1200m defeating Duchess Difficult with 54kg at $2.30. | |||
CLIMB THE LADDER (1) hasn’t won for 90 weeks but resumes here for new trainer Tony Gollan. If there’s a trainer who can turn a horse around, it’s Big T-Dawg.
The five-year-old gelding has raced over this distance since finishing a close second on debut at Mornington.
While he’s competed over much further in stronger-class races throughout his career, he showed good speed to lead a recent trial all the way, suggesting he can produce a bold fresh showing over a sprint trip.
Bella Youngberry, who claims 2kg, can stalk a likely hot speed.
| 1. Climb The Ladder (6) 58kg2622x | |||
| Gelding back from a spell of nine months. Has placed previously first up from a break. Finished off last preparation second of 8 at Warwick Farm 3&4yo Bm64 January 26 over 1600m, 0.9 len behind Lancelot Du Lac with 60.5kg at $3.10. When resuming last campaign second last of 8 at Rosehill Bm78 August 2 2025 over 1400m, in the wet; 19 len behind Elson Boy with 53.5kg at $8.50. Resumes after a recent trial win. | |||
LA ROJA (13) resumes here for new trainer Jack Bruce and is incredibly well placed under the set-weight conditions of the race.
The I Am Invincible mare was last seen charging home from the back to finish a neck second in the Listed Eye Liner Stakes during the Queensland Winter Carnival.
It’s been just over a year since she last saluted, but in that time she has finished runner-up in six of her last seven races.
She gets her chance to taste success again courtesy of a good gate and a significantly easier assignment.
| 13. La Roja (3) 56.5kgx422x | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of four-and-a-half months. Finished off last campaign second of 16 at Ipswich in the LR Eye Liner June 20 over 1350m, soft track; a long neck behind Soothsayer carrying 55kg at $31. First up last campaign fourth of 12 at Gosford Bm78 May 9 over 1200m, 2.5 len behind Hillier with 56.5kg at $3. | |||
HE’S TRU BLUE (2) has improved with each run this preparation and looks set to peak third-up.
The Tony Gollan-trained entire gave 3kg and fitness to stablemate Lebanese last start over this course and distance, and it proved the difference, with him finishing a half-length second.
He’ll strip fitter and won his only previous third-up race.
Ben Thompson will have his work cut out from the wide draw, but He’s Tru Blue gets blinkers for the first time.
| 2. He’s Tru Blue (13) 60.5kg63×42 | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming 4th of 10 in a Bm70 at Eagle Farm on October 3 over 1200m, on a slow track; 1.2 len behind Mercian with 59kg at $9. Last start sat on the pace when 2nd of 10 in a Bm70 at this track on October 17 over 1350m, 0.5 len behind Lebanese with 59kg at $2.60. | |||