The Follow Files: European import unlucky as big favourite
This week’s edition of The Follow Files features three unlucky runners that raced at Doomben on Saturday afternoon. We will look ahead to the continuation of the Queensland Racing Carnival as it moves across the road to Eagle Farm for the next few weeks.
Doomben – Doomben 10,000 Day
Track rating: Good 4
Rail position: True entire circuit
Race 1: Class 6 Handicap (1600m) | Time: 1:36.08
- Horse to follow: Manbehindthemoney (3rd)
The opening race of the day at Doomben saw one of the biggest betting crunches go to the wayside, as the Annabel Neasham-trained Manbehindthemoney was heavily backed at his second Australian start in the 1600m contest. The four-year-old gelded son of Bobby’s Kitten had won two of his first seven starts in Europe before being sent over to Neasham and arriving in her Sydney stables back in March. After finishing fifth on his Australian debut, punters were happy to be with him at Doomben in the Class 6 Handicap, backing him in from $5 to $3.50 favourite before the jump. However, after getting a perfect run in behind the leaders, Samantha Collett couldn’t find any clear air and only got out to let down in the final 75m, resulting in a disappointing third-place finish.
When to bet: Manbehindthemoney won over 1609m and 2149m in Europe which suggests that he will get over more distance when third-up next start. With no nominations available yet, we will be backing him when he steps up in distance to 1800m next start.
Race 3: Listed Bill Carter Stakes (1200m) | Time: 1:09.87
- Horse to follow: Certainlycan (3rd)
The lone debutant in the Listed Bill Carter Stakes at Doomben last Saturday was Certainlycan from the Tony Gollan yard. The two-year-old filly hadn’t been given any public trials before her debut in the Bill Carter and that told in the betting, as she was sent out a $19 roughie with most online bookmakers. Of the beaten brigade behind Zia, this daughter of Written Tycoon was up there with Abounding, with them both filling the placings from back in the field. After debuting in a Listed race, the future looks bright for this filly, and she will be one that many will follow.
When to bet: Tony Gollan and his team are yet to nominate Certianlycan for another race, but the Listed Oxlade Stakes over 1300m for two-year-olds appears to be the next step for this smart filly. We will be following her if they choose to go down this path in three weeks’ time.
Race 7: Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) | Time: 2:02.02
- Horse to follow: Duais (4th)
The feature race of the day was won by Huetor, but the run of the race had to be the former Australian Cup winner Duais. The five-year-old mare was returning from the six-month spell after we last saw her finishing 18th in the Melbourne Cup last year, with the benefit of two nice trials at Newcastle and Hawkesbury. After jumping from barrier one, the daughter of Shamus Award held the rail and sat midfield before making her move on the home turn to run home nicely in between runners in the final 200m, whilst doing her best work late. With such a good return run in the Group 1 Doomben Cup, she appears to have returned much better this time in and doesn’t look far away from another win.
When to bet: Most of the runners in the Doomben Cup will push onto the Group 2 Q22 at Eagle Farm on June 10, and that will most likely be the case for Duais. If Edward Cummings decides to go to the Q22 we expect her to be one of the favoured runners, and we will be following her as she gets out further in distance at a bigger track.