After last week’s rainout, the Brisbane Winter Carnival continues this Saturday with the Group 1 Doomben Cup complimenting a massive day at Eagle Farm.
A small field has accepted for the $1 million feature, all chasing last year’s winner and short-priced favourite, Zaaki.
The barrier draw has slightly changed, while Chris Waller has also chosen to accept with Yonkers.
Can Annabel Neasham’s champion stayer Zaaki claim his fourth Group 1?
1. Zaaki (10)
- Group 1’s: 3 (2021 Doombem Cup, Underwood Stakes, Mackinnon Stakes)
- Record: 34-12:5:6
- Track: 1:1-0-0
- Distance: 9:2-2-3
- Jockey: James McDonald
- Trainer: Annabel Neasham
- Odds: $1.45
Returns to defend his crown after winning this race last year by a whopping seven lengths. Went on to add two more Group 1’s during the spring and has since resumed to win two from four starts. Proved too strong late in the Hollindale Stakes on the Gold Coast two weeks ago and should relish another wet track here. Drawn to receive all the favours, plenty fit, and looks impossible to fault back out to 2000m.
Bet Now: Zaaki
2. The Chosen One (3)
- Group 1’s: 1 (2022 Thorndon Mile)
- Record: 41-7:5:6
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 8:2-1-2
- Jockey: Opie Bosson
- Trainer: Andrew Forsman
- Odds: $26.00
Talented stayer resuming from a freshen-up. Finally claimed a Group 1, the Thorndon Mile, over in New Zealand back in January and was far from disgraced when third in the Tancred Stakes at Newcastle two back. Proven over this trip but would probably prefer a much drier track.
Bet Now: The Chosen One
3. Kukeracha (5)
- Group 1’s: 1 (2021 QLD Derby)
- Record: 21-4:4:3
- Track: 2:1-1-0
- Distance: 4:0-1-0
- Jockey: James Orman
- Trainer: Chris Waller
- Odds: $13.00
Recent form reads well for this. Proved too strong late over the mile at Doomben two back on a heavy track. Backed that up with a third to Zaaki in the Hallandale where he was again seen doing his best work late from midfield. Hasn’t made a start at this level since winning the Derby last year but warrants serious consideration for a place.
Bet Now: Kukeracha
4. Yonkers (1)
- Record: 38-10:7:5
- Track: 1:1-0-0
- Distance: 1:1-0-0
- Jockey: Hugh Bowman
- Trainer: Chris Waller
- Odds: $26.00
Won the Chairman’s Handicap last-start over a touch further and should relish another wet track. Unplaced in only start at Group 1 level in the Australian Cup at Flemington three runs back but has drawn to get the gun run along the rail. Plenty fit now at this stage of his prep and could sneak a place given the right ride.
Bet Now: Yonkers
5. Great House (9)
- Record: 20-5:3:4
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 4:1-0-2
- Jockey: William Pike
- Trainer: Chris Waller
- Odds: $17.00
Returned from a let-up to run second in the Gosford Cup a couple of weeks ago. Mixed his form prior to that but does handle these staying distances, as we saw during the spring when he won the Hotham Handicap at Flemington. Facing a big step up in grade here but should relish the wet conditions.
Bet Now: Great House
6. Huetor (5)
- Record: 14-5:0:2
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 2:2-0-0
- Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy
- Trainer: Peter and Paul Snowden
- Odds: $12.00
Strips fitter for two runs back. Hit the line well last-start in the Hallandale for fourth and was equally impressive first-up at Randwick in heavy conditions. A much stiffer challenge here but it does look the next logical step for him.
Bet Now: Huetor
7. Maximal (6)
- Record: 11-1:5:0
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 2:0-1-0
- Jockey: Nash Rawiller
- Trainer: John O’Shea
- Odds: $31.00
European import that has yet to hit his stride since arriving in Australia. Finished last in the Apollo Stakes and second-last in the Australia Cup earlier in the autumn. Has trialled well in between but remains tough to entertain.
Bet Now: Maximal
8. Esti Feny (8)
- Record: 18-6:4:1
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 4:0-1-0
- Jockey: Ryan Maloney
- Trainer: Matthew Smith
- Odds: $61.00
Another talented European that is still trying to find his groove. Ran on well for fifth in the Easter Cup at Caulfield and was far from disgraced in the Wagga Cup last time out. Would prefer to watch.
Bet Now: Esti Feny
9. Polly Grey (7)
- Record: 41-11:8:5
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 11:3-2-2
- Jockey: Tim Clark
- Trainer: Chris Waller
- Odds: $7.50
Has held her form nicely despite being up for a while. Won the JRA Plate at Randwick on heavy going two back before returning from a let-up to run second to Zaaki in the Hollindale. Everything about that run suggested she’ll appreciate further and it wouldn’t be surprising if she put another scare into the favourite in these conditions.
Bet Now: Polly Grey
10. Coventina Bay (4)
- Group 1’s: 2 (2022 Herbie Dyke, Bonecrusher Stakes)
- Record: 24-11:5:1
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 2:2-0-0
- Jockey: Ms Samantha Collett
- Trainer: Robbie Patterson
- Odds: $26.00
Recent dual Group 1 winner over in New Zealand that recently returned to run fifth in the Hollindale. Tried her best that day and would probably go a little closer here on a slightly drier track. Worth a thought in exotics.
Bet Now: Coventina Bay
