Premier’s Cup betting strategy, latest odds & free tips
Alongside the Sapphire Stakes, Doomben also plays host to the Group 3 TAB Long May We Play Premier’s Cup over 2200m this Saturday. Chris Waller again has a strong hand in the Queensland staying events, with five of the 10 runners coming from the Sydney trainer’s stable. Another Dollar is the current favourite with the bookies, just shading stablemate Le Juge. Picka Plum and Fighting Teo should lead, with Another Dollar and La Pulga finding a trail.
Saturday racing tips for Premier’s Cup 2020
Alward @ $6.50
Alward caught our attention last start in the Group 3 Chairman’s Handicap, where he finished fourth behind Le Juge, Savacool and Another Dollar. The imported gelding has always shown staying potential, so we are keen to back the 7yo as he rises to 2200m. He was a winner at Doomben back in November last year, which is a tick in our box as it can often be a tricky track to win on. Larry Cassidy takes the ride from barrier 10 and will need luck from the sticky gate, which is a slight concern for us. The rise in trip from his last run looks to be a step in the right direction and we think Waller can have his gelding peaking in this.
Kaonic @ $6.50
Waller’s Kaonic has seen a lot of the country in the past 12 months, having started on seven different courses including the likes of Moe, Newcastle and Flemington. The 5yo stable will now have his first crack at Doomben in what will his first start beyond 2000m. The gelding rattled home in the Eagle Farm Mile to finish seventh last start and should relish the rise in trip. Drawn in barrier seven, senior hoop Mark Du Plessis will be able to use the rails to his advantage and settle a bit closer than last time on the one-time Doncaster favourite. His breeding, being by Savabeel, suggests he will eat every bit of the 2200m. The drier track will be a huge advantage as well.
Fightin Teo @ $15
Locally trained Fighting Teo will wear blinkers for the first time on Saturday as well as pre-race ear muffs in a bid to help the 5yo settle better. Kevin Kemp’s gelding has never missed the placings at Doomben, where he hasn’t raced in over six months, so we expect to see a sharp improvement. With no speed drawn inside him, Adin Thompson will look to lead from barrier nine or at least share the lamp-lighting role. He finds himself back to 2200m, which is a distance he races well over (6:1-1-1), and should appreciate the slight weight relief from last start. If he can find the lead and run along at a slow pace, Fighting Teo can be in the finish.
$25 win + $60 place Alward
$5 win + $10 place Fighting Teo