| What | Doomben Cup 2022 |
| Where | Doomben Racecourse – 75 Hampden St, Ascot QLD 4007 |
| When | Saturday, May 21, 2022 |
| Prizemoney | $1,000,000 |
| Distance | 2000m |
| Status | Group 1 |
| Conditions | Weight For Age |
| 2021 Winner | Zaaki (9) | Trainer: Annabel Neasham | Jockey: James McDonald (59kg) |
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Group 1 racing returns to Doomben on Saturday for the running of the $1 million Doomben Cup (2000m), where the reigning champion, Zaaki, has come up a very short-priced favourite. A field of 10 has been assembled for the weight-for-age event, with six countries all being represented: Australia, England, Ireland, France, New Zealand and Hungary.
Zaaki has opened as a $1.50 favourite with online bookmakers in the final-field markets, while Polly Grey ($7) is the only other horse in single figures following her runner-up performance behind Zaaki in the Hollindale Stakes (1800m) a fortnight ago. Chris Waller has a strong hand in the race with four starters, including Kukeracha ($12), Great House ($16) and Kolding ($61) as well as Polly Grey. Kiwis Coventina Bay and The Chosen One are both $21 chances, while Sydney-based imports Huetor ($10), Maximal ($31) and Esti Feny ($101) round out the field.
There doesn’t appear to be a great deal of speed in the race, with Zaaki likely to go forward and control the race under James McDonald, while Polly Grey and Coventina Bay can use their wider gates to cross and be in a forward position. Kukeracha, Kolding and Huetor are likely to settle down midfield, with The Chosen One and Great House expected to be in the second half of the field.
Continue reading for HorseBetting’s runner-by-runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the Doomben Cup.
1. ZAAKI (3)
7yo G | T: Annabel Neasham | J: James McDonald (59kg)
Since notching up his first Australian win in the 2021 Hollindale Stakes, Zaaki is yet to miss the placings in 11 starts, proving himself to be one of Australia’s best middle distance horses. In last year’s Doomben Cup, the son of Leroidesanimaux won the 2000m event by seven lengths, before going on to win the Q22 at Eagle Farm. Earlier in the year, the seven-year-old won the All Star Mile, before being narrowly beaten in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. The horse is a star, and the $1.50 almost looks value.
2. THE CHOSEN ONE (6)
6yo H | T: Andrew Forsman | J: Opie Bosson (59kg)
The Chosen One has been a model of consistency throughout his career, finishing in the top three on 18 occasions from his 41 starts, while he has been just outside the placings in the Melbourne Cup. Last start, the son of Savabeel beat only one horse home in the Sydney Cup over two miles, with the Heavy 10 track the main reason for that poor performance. With similar conditions expected on Saturday, it is hard to see this horse firing.
3. KOLDING (1)
6yo G | T: Chris Waller | J: Jim Byrne (59kg)
Kolding hasn’t been his old self for a long while now, and based off his 16-length defeat to Zaaki in the Hollindale, we would be shocked to see him in the finish on Saturday. He needs a dry track to show his best.
4. KUKERACHA (8)
4yo G | T: Chris Waller | J: James Orman (59kg)
Last year’s Queensland Derby winner is certainly a place chance, in our opinion. He comes off a good win at Doomben on April 23 over 1640m, before placing third to Zaaki and Polly Grey in the Hollindale. Those were his first two looks at a Heavy track, so he clearly handles the conditions, while the rise to 2000m third-up will only be an advantage. He has to improve a fair bit to beat Zaaki, but he doesn’t need to do too much more to run second or third.
5. GREAT HOUSE (9)
5yo G | T: Chris Waller | J: William Pike (59kg)
Great House is another from the Waller yard who is certainly a top-four chance, as he comes off a strong second to Numerian in the Gosford Cup on May 7. Obviously, this is much tougher with a horse like Zaaki in the field, but away from the top few in the market, it isn’t the strongest of races. His wet-track form is good enough to see him play a role, bu he might want a bit further than 2000m now.
6. HUETOR (5)
5yo G | T: Peter & Paul Snowden | J: Kerrin McEvoy (59kg)
Huetor stamped himself as horse with a very bright future early on in his Australian career, winning three straight races before going for a spell. Since returning to the track, the French import ran a solid third to Our Playboy in Sydney, before hitting the line strongly to run fourth in the Hollindale. A repeat of that performance will certainly see him competitive on Saturday.
7. MAXIMAL (2)
4yo H | T: John O’Shea | J: Nash Rawiller (59kg)
After coming out to Australia with a pretty big boom around his name, Maximal hasn’t really done anything in his three starts. At the end of the fay, the former English horse has only won the one race, so he simply might not be up to this class. The wet track won’t help his chances either.
8. ESTI FENY (4)
7yo G | T: Matthew Smith | J: Ryan Maloney (59kg)
Seven-year-old gelding Esti Feny is hard to have based on his four Australian starts. While he was good a couple of starts back in the Group 3 Easter Cup at Caulfield over 2000m, that race rates a lot lower than what he is up against on Saturday. The wet track is a genuine query too.
9. POLLY GREY (7)
7yo M | T: Chris Waller | J: Tim Clark (57kg)
Polly Grey is one of the main dangers to Zaaki on Saturday, as the market suggests, and while she is a superior wet-tracker, it is hard to see her actually turning the tables on the race favourite. Her runner-up performance in the Hollindale was good a fortnight ago, but now an extra furlong and out to a trip which will suit Zaaki even more puts the ball back in the favourite’s court. This mare was brilliant two starts back when beating Numerian by over five lengths, while her form prior was also very solid. She’s the danger, but she needs to lift.
10. COVENTINA BAY (10)
6yo M | T: Robbie Patterson | J: Samantha Collett (57kg)
Rounding out the field on Saturday is New Zealand mare Coventina Bay. The six-year-old daughter of Shamexpress won back-to-back Group 1 races over 2000m in NZ across February and March, before stepping back to 1600m and running second in another Group 1. She was beaten 4.3 lengths in the Hollindale last start, so off that, she has to improve a bit to get near Zaaki. On her best form, she can sneak into the placings.
2022 Doomben Cup selections & betting strategy
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1
ZAAKI
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9
POLLY GREY
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4
KUKERACHA
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5
GREAT HOUSE
| $100 betting strategy | |
|---|---|
| $100 win | Zaaki ($1.50) |
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