Doomben Cup May 20th, Tips and Previews
Best Bet - Doomben Cup
1
Zaaki $1.85
Zaaki has returned to racing in excellent order after an extended lay-off.
The stable wasn’t happy with his training during the summer months, so they kept him out of the Melbourne autumn.
He has now recaptured his zest for racing, and the extra time in the paddock is paying big dividends.
His fresh run in The T. J. Smith behind the ‘new kid of the block’ Giga Kick was gallant, and he was simply a class above his rivals last-start in the Hollindale.
He is ready to explode third-up from a spell, and the step out to 2000m is ideal at this stage of his preparation.
The rising nine-year-old can roll forward from barrier eleven, and if he gets caught wide facing the breeze, I still expect him to prove too strong late.
The Australian racing public has been lucky to witness his racing feats since he arrived from the United Kingdom.
Next Best - Doomben Cup
13
Kovalica $9.00
Kovalica is the apparent threat to the favourite.
His win in the Queensland Guineas was breathtaking, and he will start a short-priced favourite in the Derby.
The Ocean Park gelding is very promising, and his future looks exciting.
From barrier thirteen, he will slide back and sit slightly worse than midfield, and if the leaders spend their pennies too early, he will be there to capitalise late.
He is ready to step out in the distance, and the talented three-year-old has more upside than most of the field.
I am concerned this race may be a tune-up for his grand final, and I suspect whatever he does on Saturday, he will take benefit.
Best Roughie - Doomben Cup
2
Numerian $13.00/$3.40
Numerian was home all bar the shouting in the Australian Cup.
The Holy Roman Emperor gelding was grabbed in the shadows by Cascadian, and he was game in defeat.
The rising eight-year-old was luckless covering ground at his latest outing, and he can bounce back here after producing a recent blistering barrier trial.
He was a winner at the trip previously, and I expect him to roll forward and take up his favourite role as race leader.
There doesn’t appear to be an abundance of pace on paper, and if the Annabel Neasham trained runner is left to his own devices, a massive boilover could be on the cards.
Best Exotic - Doomben Cup
T
$88 for 200%
I am happy to be with Zaaki one out in the trifecta.
He has been one of our best weight-for-age performed horses over the last four years, he is ready to peak, and I expect him to be too classy for his rivals.
Numerian, Huetor, Atishu, and Kovalica can fight over the cheque for second place, while it’s a field job for the minor end of the placings.
Best of luck!
1st: 1
2nd: 2, 3, 12, 13
3rd: Field
Outlay: $88
Flexi Percentage = 200%
