Group 1 Doomben Cup betting guide with form, odds and free tips
PUNTERS got an exciting taste of what’s to come during the Brisbane winter carnival last week and it continues at Doomben this Saturday with the Group 1 Doomben Cup.
The middle distance feature of the carnival has attracted a world class field with the likes of It’s Somewhat, Preferment and a host of local chances vying to hold the home fort.
We have form, odds and free tips for the Doomben Cup and every race on the card. The Group 2 Roses is another feature on the card and the punters are betting into these markets with great enthusiasm.
But, it’s all about the Doomben Cup and Ladbrokes.com.au is giving enhanced odds for every runner in the Cup this Saturday.
Race 1 – LED Superscreens C6 Handicap (1615m)
Blackjack Bella is a capable type for David Vandyke which has placed in both starts on this track. The five-year-old has yet to win at this distance, but it has been running well behind some nice types and it has been well-backed at $4.50.
Saga Miss didn’t fire fresh up when finishing last at the Gold Coast, but it always improves second up and running on a dry track is ideal. Drawing barrier 16 will make it tough, but it likes to drop back and run home.
Heart Of A Warrior is also second up and it has plenty of experience on this track. The Tony Gollan-trained six-year-old has had 13 starts for two wins and nine placings, which is a great record and suggests that it will be an each way chance at $9 and $3.
Race 1 tip: Blackjack Bella to win ($9) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 2 – Queensland Electrical Oxlade Stakes (1200m)
Dream Kisses is a talented two-year-old which won its only second up start. The Steven O’Dea-trained filly was an impressive winner at Eagle Farm in October and its third placing behind Champ Elect in the Calaway Gal Stakes was full of class. Nice chance in this at $7.50.
Cabin Fever was a recent winner on this track and it finished nicely in the Ken Russell Stakes last start. The Sidereus filly finished only 1.8 lengths behind Taking Aim last start at Gold Coast and there’s enough betting support to suggest it’s a winning chance.
Allied Power comes into this on the back of a strong win at Gosford and it’s in the right stable. The Snowden-trained colt wasn’t tested in maiden company last time out and getting Hugh Bowman in the saddle helps. This isn’t a strong field, but it will need luck from barrier 13.
Race 2 tip: Dream Kisses to win ($7.50) at Bet365.com
Race 3 – IPG Marketing Solutions Chief De Beers Handicap (1050m)
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Prompt Return made a prompt return to the winners enclosure last start and it could continue on with it. The Toby Edmonds-trained gelding scored a strong 1.3-length win over Hidden Pearl and that form should be strong for this. It has won twice on this track from three starts and having Jeff Lloyd in the saddle helps.
Mr Manhattan is fresh up and that’s typically when it strikes. The Joe Pride-trained five-year-old has won three from five starts fresh and it has been running against some nice types. The gelding has won four over this distance and running fourth behind Dal Cielo last start is a good indicator of its form. Looks a nice each way chance.
Hidden Pearl deserves to be well-favoured in the betting, but it will have to work from an outside barrier. The six-year-old is an eight time winner from 19 starts and it has plenty of early speed which will help. It does get tired towards the end of its races and the early work could take its toll late, but the $5 could entice punters.
Race 3 tip: Prompt Response to win ($5) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 4 – Harding Steel 3YO (1200m)
Tactical Advantage is a smart Sydney runner which has beaten some handy types. The James Cummings-trained gelding won three straight races this season, beating horses such as First Approval and Scarlet Rain. That form stacks up considerably here and it has drawn to be a major factor.
Punters are coming strongly for Savanna Amour which defeated Kiwi runner Heroic Valour in the Gold Coast Guineas last start. The three-year-old has now put two wins together in fine style and it stays at a good weight for this. It has been backed in from $4.20 to $3.80 and that should be respected.
Guard Of Honour didn’t have the best of luck last start when seventh behind Tiyatrolani, but it’s a classy type. The Kris Lees-trained colt competed well in the Eskimo Prince and Wilkes Stakes in Sydney and having Hugh Bowman in the saddle helps. It opened at $5, but has drifted out half a point to $5.50.
Race 4 tip: Tactical Advantage to win ($4.40) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 5 – QA Hotel Bright Shadow Handicap (1200m)
Bonny O’Reilly is the current $4.20 favourite after winning three straight coming into this. The Bjorn Baker-trained mare scored a gritty win at Rosehill last start where it sat behind the speed and fought them all off. Sitting behind the pace might be tough from barrier 19, but it’s talented enough to overcome that.
Untamed Diamond has brilliant gate speed and it will likely take up the running from barrier seven. The New Zealand runner has scored back-to-back wins in Sydney and it takes on opposition which it should be able to handle. It’s holding steady in the market at $5.50.
Elegant Composure fought well last start and its second up record speaks for itself. It has won two from three starts second up and it has the same record on this track. The four-time winner at this distance will likely sit close to the pace and it could loom up to them around the home turn.
Race 5 tip: Untamed Diamond to place ($2.15) at WilliamHill.com.au
Race 6 – The Magic Millions Roses (2000m)
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Punters should take nothing away from Keneda’s performance in the Schweppes Oaks last start as it was full of merit. The Darren Weir-trained filly finished second behind Egg Tart and this should’t be any harder, but just how much that run took out of it will be the question. It will stay all day and the $3.50 is a fair price.
On the same line of betting is Dawn Wall. The Waller-trained filly asserted its class when beating The Pinnacle at the Gold Coast last start, taking its record to four wins from its last five starts. Drawing 12 won’t be an issue over this distance and it will likely sit midfield before being produced by Bowman around the home turn.
The Pinnacle has yet to miss the money in six starts and that consistency is what punters are looking for. The Snowden-trained daughter of So You Think closed nicely behind Dawn Wall last start, but it had no luck being posted three wide and it could turn the tables. It gets a good run from barrier five and $9 is well over the odds.
Race 6 tip: The Pinnacle to win ($9) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 7 – Hardy Brothers Doomben Cup (2000m)
It’s Somewhat has been going about its business this season and another tidy performance looks probable. The Beadman-trained gelding has won four of its last five starts which includes wins in the Doncaster Handicap and the Hollindale Stakes last start. It has gone to another level and all things being equal it should go very close in this. $5 with the enhanced odds is a respectable price in the market.
Articus is pressing for favouritism after winning well at Flemington last start. The Weir-trained import didn’t fire in the Caulfield and Victoria Cups, but it showed its class by clearing away for an easy win last start. This is its biggest test by far, but it has won four times over this distance and punters have come for it at $4.60.
Single Gaze went close to running down It’s Somewhat last start and it’s capable of overturning that result. The Nick Olive-trained mare has won only four from 19 starts, but it’s rarely far away from the prize and it’s a past winner on this track. Expect it to settle back from the draw and finish strongly.
Race 7 tip: It’s Somewhat to win ($5) at Ladbrokes.com.au
Race 8 – Taxibox BRC Sprint Handicap (1350m)
Splurge is a Kiwi runner which should be held in the highest regard. Te Akau Racing has dominated in Australia this year and they bring another talented type over from New Zealand. The four-year-old has won seven from 11 starts and although NZ sprinting form doesn’t sit well in Australia, this runner has a fair amount of class. $5 is a good each way quote.
Ulmann showed how deadly its sprint can be when winning last start and another good showing looms. The five-year-old will get back in the run and storm home, which worked last start when winning the Wangoom on a heavy track. Conditions change here, but it gets a nice barrier and it won’t have to spend a penny in the run.
Federal has had two runs in this campaign and it usually finds form with racing under its belt. The five-year-old was flying home behind Religify last start and was held up at a vital stage. James Doyle returns for Godolphin and he could guide this runner to victory.
Race 8 tip: Splurge to win ($5) at Bet365.com