The Doomben Cup has drawn no fewer than seven previous Group 1 winners, including the reigning Cox Plate champion.
If that wasn’t enough, the reigning All-Star Mile champion has also accepted, along with some other extremely well credentialled middle-distance gallopers.
Fittingly, the Doomben Cup is the feature race on an impressive nine-race program in Brisbane on Saturday, and I’ve previewed the lot in the 2021 Doomben Cup Day tips below.
Race 1 – 11:34AM – Mittys Benchmark 80 Handicap, (2000m)
The program launches with a pretty open BM80 race, and I think that New South Welshman Prince Of Arragon will be in the finish.
Prince Of Arragon struggled under the care of Stephen O’Halloran last time, but a switch to John Thompson’s stables have already paid dividends, and he has won each of his two starts since resuming.
Fitter third-up and under the conditions of this race, he can win again.
Race 2 – 12:09pm – Captain Morgan Tropical Class 6 Plate, (1600m)
This looks like being one of the more open races on the card and there is a case to be made for several horses, including Guntantes.
Guntantes doesn’t win out of turn, but he has been in reasonably consistent form this preparation, and he enters this race off the back of a credible second placing behind Slow Hands over a mile at Eagle Farm.
He’s well and truly at peak fitness now and I’m happy to give him another chance on Saturday.
Race 3 – 12:44pm – Listed Carter Stakes, (1200m)
The day’s first black type contest has drawn a nice field of two-year-old fillies including Socialist.
Socialist was only just beaten by subsequent black type winner Xtremetime at Canterbury two starts back, and responded with an easy win in a similar race last time out.
This is obviously a little harder, but she looks to have plenty of ability and the $4.20 available at publish looks a nice price.
Race 4 – 1:19pm – IPG Marketing Solutions Darby McCarthy (1100m)
I’m confident in the chances of former Queenslander, now southern raider Wisdom Of Water in the Darby McCarthy.
He returned several eye-catching efforts and enjoyed a lucrative two-year-old season under the care of Toby and Trent Edmonds, but Wisdom Of Water was transferred to the care of Annabel Neasham for his current preparation.
He has run a place in two of three starts this time, including a smart third in the Listed Goldmarket on the Gold Coast last time out.
Fitter fourth-up and under Craig Williams, I’m more than keen to get involved with the $6.50 that is available at publish.
Race 5 – 1:58pm – Group 3 Pam O’Neill Stakes (1600m)
Anything close to her best form should see Paradee into the Pam O’Neill Stakes winner’s stall.
The Epaulette mare was nothing short of outstanding last time in, winning three races in succession, including the Magic Millions Quality and the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes before ending her prep fourth in the Australian Cup.
She has won fresh previously and takes the class edge into this race.
Race 6 – 2:28pm – Listed Chief De Beers (1110m)
This is the strongest edition of the Chief De Beers that I can remember, and has drawn talented sprinters from several states including California Zimbol.
She was an impressive winner of the Group 3 Maurice McCarten at Rosehill Gardens when resuming and was just over a length from Signore Fox in the Star Kingdom Stakes second-up.
She dropped out in the straight during the runner of the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes last time out, but I’m confident a freshen-up and the small drop in trip will pay dividends this weekend – the $9 available at publish could prove over the odds.
Race 7 – 3:18pm – Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m)
Speaking of outstanding editions of feature races, this Doomben Cup is utterly stacked.
I’ve put Zaaki on top and I’ll also be having an each-way bet on Toffee Tongue, but you can read my full race preview and complete 2021 Doomben Cup Tips RIGHT HERE.
Race 8 – 3:58pm – Group 3 BRC Sprint (1350m)
There are several winning chance engaged in the BRC Sprint, but I’m going to stick with the in-form Groundswell.
Groundswell needed the run when he finished down the order at Flemington when resuming, but he has since won in BM90 company on Golden Mile Day and comfortably saluted at Listed level in Adelaide last time out.
He is drawn and weighted well, and we can have an each-way play at the price ($8 at publish).
Race 9 – 4:34pm – Group 2 The Roses (2000m)
Bargain looks a winning chance in the Group 2 Roses at Doomben on Saturday.
The three-year-old daughter of Ocean Park has returned the Mark Newnham stable some nice results this time in, and was last seen filling the minors in the Group 1 Australian Oaks.
She has been freshened since that effort, but returned a nice trial in the lead-up to her return, and I think she has a class edge over most of these.
