My Clubs
Start Club
Join Club
News
Doomben Cup 2016 race preview
20 May 2016 10:41 AM
Doomben was rated a Good 4 on Thursday morning and the weather forecast is for sunshine all weekend.
The Group 1 Doomben Cup is the feature race on the card this Saturday with $650,000 in prize money for connections.
The 2000m course starts half-way up the home straight with a short run to the first turn which can inconvenience runners that don't settle into a good position early. Runners then complete a full lap of the Doomben course.
Hauraki was his usual honest self in the G2 Hollindale a few weeks ago. Should get a nice trail on the rails here and is one of the top chances in the race again.
It's Somewhat comes off a great run in the Hollindale where he was wide in the running and found obstacles in his run for home. Extra distance should suit nicely.
Volkstok'n'barrel made up for his poor Doncaster effort last start when he came home well to finish 2.5 lengths third behind Lebaz. Go close.
Our Ivanhowe has been freshened since pulling up lame in the BMW. Was good in the Australian Cup the run before that at Flemington and has the class to figure in the finish. Chance.
Noble Protector recent runs this preparation have been good. Gets to the 2000m for the first time since Spring 2014 when he ran 1 length second to Contributer. Chance.
Spiritjim was good first-up in the Hollindale. Expect improvement here - but enough to figure?
Leebaz accounted for most of these in the Hollindale. Extra 200m won't trouble him and gets similar conditions here again. Strong claims.
Lady Le Fay is up a bit in class here but comes off a handy Autumn campaign and a last start second over the distance in Listed company. Could sneak a place.
Messene looks the likely leader in this. Showed that he is capable of leading from start to finish in the Wagga Cup. Smarter lot here but can't discard.
Maurus has reasonable form lines coming into this including a smart win by 3.5 lengths last start over 2200m at Doomben. Could sneak a place.
Market Movers
Very little money has come early in the race.
- Hauraki has seen a trickle of money moving him in from $3.40 to $3.30.
- also a bit of money for It's Somewhat and Maurus without moving the odds..
1st Leebaz looks great value here at $12 with very little changing his chances after his last start win. Assuming he gets a dry track he is a winning chance.
2nd Hauraki
3rd I'm Somewhat
Mike Steward