Doomben Cup - 2000m, Doomben R7
When it comes to WFA tests over 2000m, Melbourne has the Cox Plate and Sydney has the Queen Elizabeth, which are two of Australia’s very best races. The Doomben Cup isn’t at the level of those, but it is the Brisbane equivalent, and we have an excellent field assembled this year.
Zaaki is the headline horse, and even money favourite. Most will remember his seven length demolition job in the 2021 Doomben Cup – he’s only finished out of the placings once in 17 starts since that win, and that was fourth in last year’s Cox Plate when beaten just over a length. He’s a four time Group 1 winner, alongside an All Star Mile victory, and you know what you’re going to get from him every time.
Zaaki was excellent upon resumption in the All Aged Stakes behind Giga Kick, who we saw win again last weekend, and he had to win ugly in the Hollindale Stakes two weeks ago after enduring a wide run in transit. Drawing awkwardly in gate 11 is the only concern, and as an eight-year-old he’s not getting any younger either.
Zaaki will press forward from out wide. His stablemate Numerian is the only other speed horse engaged in the race, and is absolutely flying for Annabel Neasham.
Numerian hasn’t won a race this season, but has finished second to Cascadian twice at WFA, run second in a Chelmsford to Knight’s Order, and been beaten a length in the Caulfield Cup. He was far from disgraced behind Dubai Honour and Anamoe last time out, and richly deserves a win. He’ll have to beat a star to do so, but if Zaaki is off this game, then this guy is the one to beat.
There are a good handful of other chances in the race.
Huetor and Zeyrek were only half a length behind Zaaki in the Hollindale, but we must concede they had more favours in the run than he did.
Huetor won the Doomben Cup last year, defeating Zaaki, and he does look to be peaking for this race once again, given how stylishly he finished off in that Hollindale. Zeyrek is having a great campaign, but he was three lengths behind Numerian in the Queen Elizabeth, which helps us draw a line on the form.
Nonconformist does have the class on his day, and it’s worth remembering he did beat Zaaki home over 2000m at Caulfield back in 2021, but he’s not always the easiest to trust.
Duais is an interesting mare, striking this race first-up. She didn’t fire a shot in the spring, after a sensational autumn carnival last year. Is it possible she is an autumn/winter horse? Since 2021, her record at this time of year is 7: 5-1-0, while her spring record is 11: 1-1-1.
Atishu was plain in the Hollindale after her stunning win in the Queen of the Turf, but gets a second chance given her previous form has been very good for some time now.
The Chris Waller three-year-old Kovalica is the x-factor of the race, after he was scratched from the Rough Habit last week. Any setback isn’t great, especially when taking on a field of this quality as a younger horse, but we have to trust that the stable have him right.
The other runners don’t have the WFA credentials of the horses listed above, but can still provide stiff competition. Palmetto is the pick of these, still improving as a four-year-old, coming off two strong wins, and will get the box seat run from a lovely draw. He does still have to prove he can run 2000m though, given he was beaten a long way in his two previous starts at the distance.
Selections: 1.Zaaki 2.Numerian 3.Huetor 4.Palmetto
ZAAKI
WIN
* Odds Correct At Time Of Posting. Check Playup Website For Latest Odds
NUMERIAN
EACH-WAY
* Odds Correct At Time Of Posting. Check Playup Website For Latest Odds
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