Group 1 racing returns to Doomben on Saturday, and Zaaki will start a clear favourite in the time-honoured feature race.
He is just one of many Group 1 quality horses engaged in Brisbane, and you can find my complete 2022 Doomben Cup Day Tips below.
Preview brought to you by Neds. Learn more about Neds HERE.
STRADBROKE CALCUTTA BM78 HANDICAP (1600M) – 11:43AM
Tip: No. 9 The Catch
The Catch has recorded two wins from as many starts this time in, and he’s the one that I want to be with in the first on Doomben Cup Day.
The Michael Costa-trained gelding was nothing short of outstanding on the Gold Coast first-up this time, beating home his rivals by more than six lengths and was similarly impressive at Ipswich last time.
This is harder again, but it does look the next logical step.
NOVA 106.9 BM85 HANDICAP (1200M) – 12:18PM
Tip: No. 15 The Big Goodbye
The Big Goodbye has returned two nice efforts back from a spell and he looks ready to strike at Doomben this week.
The Rob Heathcote-trained gelding finished third, beaten by a head at Ipswich when resuming this time and was only just denied by Boomnova last time out.
Fitter third-up, he gets into this race well under the conditions and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again.
LISTED BILL CARTER STAKES (1200M) – 12:53PM
Tip: No. 4 Zougotcha
Zougotcha has only made two appearances at the races so far, but she looks to have plenty of ability and the Bill Carter Stakes looks a nice bit of black type for her.
The Zoustar filly stamped herself as one to watch with an easy win on debut at Canterbury and she was last seen finishing second in Saturday metro company in Sydney.
She’s had a trial since that appearance and the booking of James McDonald certainly doesn’t hurt her chances.
LISTED CHIEF DE BEERS (1110M) – 1:28PM
Tip: No. 1 Shelby Sixtysix
He was scratched from the Doomben 10,000 last week, and while there’s every chance that he has reached the end of his prep, the Chief De Beers is obviously a very winnable race for Shelby Sixtysix.
He could barely win a Highway race earlier in his prep, but Shelby Sixtysix’s rise to prominence in spring was incredible, and it peaked with a maiden Group 1 win in The Galaxy.
Heavy tracks are the key, he should get one of those on Saturday, and the booking of James McDonald should offer him every chance.
GROUP 3 PAM O’NEILL STAKES (1600M) – 2:03PM
Tip: No. 2 Nudge
The Pam O’Neill Stakes is one of the most open races on the Doomben Cup card, but I think that Nudge will take beating.
Nudge has been a great horse for the Waller stable throughout her career, and she is unlucky not to have tasted success at the highest level.
She returned to the races with a fair effort for sixth, beaten a length in the Hawkesbury Crown a fortnight ago, and she is a horse that tends to enjoy sharp improvement with a run under her belt.
GROUP 3 BRC SPRINT (1350M) – 2:38PM
Tip: No. 5 Dawn Passage
Dawn Passage rates as a key winning chance in the BRC Sprint, at a lovely price ($15 at publish).
The Dawn Approach gelding has picked off some nice races throughout his career, but he didn’t make much of an impact last time in, and was sent to the paddock after failing to fire in the Razor Sharp Handicap.
He returned a couple of eye-catching trials in the lead-up to his return this time, and hit the line well to fill the minors in the inaugural running of The Archer at Rockhampton a fortnight ago.
He’ll only improve for that effort, and he can have an each-way platy at the price.
GROUP 1 DOOMBEN CUP (2000M) – 3:18PM
Tip: No. 1 Zaaki
Unsurprisingly, Zaaki has opened a clear favourite in Doomben Cup betting, and he will almost certainly start odds-on.
Check out my full race preview and complete 2022 Doomben Cup Tips RIGHT HERE.
GROUP 2 THE ROSES (2000M) – 3:58PM
Tip: No. 1 Barb Raider
It’s the final stop on the traditional path towards the Queensland Oaks, and Barb Raider can win the Group 2 Roses.
Barb Raider has been an excellent horse for the Jerome Hunter yard since debuting, and she is a multiple black type winner.
She was only just denied by Glint Of Hope in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks in Adelaide last time out, 2000m is clearly her go, and this is a drop in class from that contest.
IMPRESSU DARBY MCCARTHY (1110M) – 4:34PM
Tip: No. 12 Miss Hipstar
She was absolutely luckless in the Gold Coast Guineas last time out, but savaged the line when she finally got clear, and I am happy to stick with Miss Hipstar in the Darby McCarthy at a lovely price ($13 at publish).
Miss Hipstar has been a great horse for the Kelly Schweida yard for a couple of seasons now, and her two runs this time have suggested that she has only furnished further.
Fitter third-up and with appropriate luck, this is very winnable.
