Zaaki headlines strong nominations for Doomben Cup Day
A total of 187 horses have been nominated for this Saturday’s Doomben Cup meeting, with Zaaki once again the star attraction as he looks to defend his crown in the Group 1 feature.
While nominations for the main event have been out for a number of weeks now, ballots for the other eight races on the card – including a Group 2, two Group 3 races and two Listed races – were released on Monday.
After the Doomben 10,000 (1200m) meeting on May 14 was moved to Eagle Farm due to rain, the Brisbane Racing Club is confident that this weekend’s meeting will go ahead at Doomben.
Online bookmakers have defending champion Zaaki as a very short $1.45 favourite for Saturday’s Doomben Cup, with Hollindale Stakes (1800m) runner-up Polly Grey and third-placed Kukeracha the only immediate threat at $8 and $11 respectively.
2022 A.D. Hollindale Stakes (1800m) | Gold Coast | Saturday, May 7
A total of 29 three-year-old fillies have been nominated for The Roses (2000m) as they head towards the Queensland Oaks (2200m) in a fortnight.
Coming off a tough win in the Gold Coast Bracelet on May 7, Dynasties has opened the $4.50 favourite for the Group 2 event, while Australasian Oaks (2000m) quinella Glint Of Hope and Barb Raider share the second line of betting at $8 apiece.
2022 Gold Coast Bracelet (1200m) | Gold Coast | Saturday, May 7
The Group 3 BRC Sprint (1350m) shapes as interesting race, especially given Tofane used it as her final lead-up run before winning the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) last year.
Reigning champ Emerald Kingdom ($6.50) sits on the second line of BRC Sprint betting, just behind the wet-track specialist Buffalo River ($5.50), while Oscar Zulu ($7), Yamazaki and Soxagon (both $8) are also all in single figures.
An early market is not yet available for the other Group 3 event – the Pam O’Neill Stakes (1600m) – but some quality fillies and mares have been nominated for the $150,000 event.
Nudge is back to defend her crown on Saturday, with Chris Waller nominating the mare for this race and the BRC Sprint, while April Rain, Steinem and Yamazaki are also expected to receive market support.
Final fields will be finalised on Wednesday morning, while the Doomben Cup field will be announced on Tuesday morning after 9am AEST.