Cover image courtesy of Doomben
The G1 Doomben 10,000 is the highlight of Saturday's racing - Mazu (Maurice {Jpn}) lining up for a third crack in the race he won two years ago; taking on the first three home in the G1 TJ Smith S. There is a terrific support card in place as well as stakes races at Flemington, Belmont, Scone and Trentham.
Group 1 action heads to Brisbane this weekend and there is plenty of action in support of the main event. As well as good racing across the country and in New Zealand.
G1 Doomben 10,000 - Mazu again?
Bernborough, Aquanita, Winfreux (Affreux {Fr}), Maybe Mahal (Maybe Lad), Manikato (Manihi), Bel Esprit, Spirit Of Boom, Redzel (Snitzel) and Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) - all high-class gallopers who have this race, the G1 Doomben 10,000, on their resume.
Always a highlight of the Queensland carnival, the $1.5 million feature contested over 1200 metres since 2017 (seven furlongs then 1350 metres prior) has attracted just nine runners but there is depth to the form with six of these horses already being Group 1 winners.
Including the 2022 winner Mazu (Maurice {Jpn}) who attempts to join Black Onyx (Pipe Of Peace {GB}), Prince Trialia (Nordic Prince), Chief De Beers (Hula Chief {NZ}), Falvelon and Apache Cat (Lion Cavern {USA}) as two-time winners of this race.
Mazu | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Mazu was favourite having been in flying form in the lead-up two years ago and he was back to his best form taking out the G3 Hall Mark S. at Randwick late last month, kept up to the mark with a Warwick Farm trial fourth.
Third in this race last year, Mazu faces different horses this time around including the first three home in the G1 TJ Smith S. - Chain Of Lightning (Fighting Sun), Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) and I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel).
Two of those horses have raced again since - Chain Of Lightning even up to the 1400 metres of the G1 All-Aged S. whilst Bella Nipotina was a brave fourth off a wide run in The Quokka in Perth.
“Mazu faces different horses this time around including the first three home in the G1 TJ Smith S. - Chain Of Lightning, Bella Nipotina and I Wish I Win.”
I Wish I Win meanwhile has been kept on the fresh side and is yet to miss a placing second up - in fact he has been out of the first three only once in all of his 19 starts.
Mazu's stable mate (noting that Joseph Pride won this race in 2021 with Eduardo (Host {Chi}) Private Eye (Al Maher) was tough on pace in the All-Aged, a race in which Espiona (Extreme Choice) never really looked comfortable in the heavy conditions. Her trainer Chris Waller seeks a second win in this race having been successful with Boban (Bernardini {USA}) in 2015.
Nash Rawiller was aboard Eduardo for his win, also steering Bel Esprit to victory in 2003. Also having a couple of Doomben 10,000 wins to his name is Tim Clark who rides the last start G1 Surround S. runner-up Stefi Magnetica (All Too Hard). He won aboard English (Encosta de Lago) in 2018 and Hot Danish (Nothin' Leica Dane) in 2010.
G2 Spirit Of Boom Classic - speedy juveniles
First run as a Listed event under a sponsor's name in 1982 and as a Group 3 race from 1987 to 2005, this 1200 metres dash for the 2-year-olds was known as the Champagne Classic for a number of years - in 2021 renamed in honour of one of Queensland's favourite sons.
And it was apt that it was won by a Spirit Of Boom that year, the speedy Prince Of Boom recording the first of his five stakes victories.
A field of 12 has been assembled for this year's running with five winners taking on four maidens and the debutant Let'sgohugo (Under The Louvre).
It was apt that the G2 Spirit Of Boom Classic was won by a Spirit Of Boom that year, the speedy Prince Of Boom | Image courtesy of Micheal McInally
Three of the winners have raced just the once with Angel Capital (Harry Angel {Ire}) particularly impressive charging home from a long way back at his Cranbourne debut for the Clinton McDonald stable who have been enjoying a great juvenile season.
By the same sire is Tiger Tie (Harry Angel {Ire}) who has won a Doomben trial in preparation for his return. He was too fast for his rivals at his Doomben debut in mid-January and his trainer Chris Munce is seeking to train the winner of a race he won as a jockey - aboard Sizzling in 2012.
Rich Dottie (Written Tycoon) was sent out favourite when debuting at Caulfield last month and she was always travelling like the winner. Her sire provided this race's 2016 winner in Winning Rupert.
“Three of the winners have raced just the once with Angel Capital particularly impressive charging home from a long way back at his Cranbourne debut.”
Defeating the flying Mishani Lily (Kobayashi) before finishing second to her in the Listed Dalrello S., Zouna (Zousain) is yet to put a hoof wrong and will also be well respected. As will be Bittercreek (Snitzel) who has been in the thick of things at his first two starts in stakes company.
Bosustow (Blue Point {Ire}) is looking to provide his sire with his first local stakes winner whilst President (I Am Invincible) brings good Sydney form into the equation.
G3 Rough Habit Plate - Queensland Derby hopefuls
Current G1 Queensland Derby favourite Autumn Angel (The Autumn Sun) is looking to continue the great recent run by her Arrowfield Stud based sire; attempting to become just the second female winner of this race with Fillydelphia (Bianconi {USA}) successful back in 2011.
She is favourite to do so, the last start G1 Australian Oaks winner boasting a consistent record over differing distances in different conditions. Her co-trainer Peter Moody knows how to win this race, taking out the 2012 edition with Brambles (NZ) (Savabeel) won is one of the seven winners of this race to go on to Queensland Derby glory.
It was in 2018 that the double was last taken out - by Dark Dream (All American) who has proven to be a rather durable galloper; winning races in Hong Kong before returning to Australia - still racing well at the age of nine.
Autumn Angel | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Also, high up in Derby markets is Tannhauser (Dundeel {NZ}) whose trainer Chris Waller boasts a good record in this race, saddling up last year's winner Special Swey (NZ) (Sweynesse) as well as the 2016 winner Mackintosh (NZ) (Pins), the 2015 winner Sadler's Lake (High Chaparral {Ire}) and the 2013 winner Hawkspur (Purrealist).
Waller holds another six entries to this race including four of the five emergencies.
Another leading Derby candidate is the in-form Kintyre (Hallowed Crown) who followed up his on protest win in the G3 Frank Packer Plate with a game performance in the G2 Queensland Guineas.
“Waller holds another six entries to this race including four of the five emergencies.”
Gold Bullion (NZ) (Savabeel) will be seeking a sort of revenge on Kintyre having been first across the line in the Frank Packer whilst Port Lockroy (Better Than Ready) looks nicely primed for a step up in distance. And the local charge is led by the consistent Press Link (NZ) (Press Statement).
G3 Chairman's Handicap - imports vs locals
A 2000-metre quality handicap, this race was first run in 1978 has in recent years proven a fertile ground for imported gallopers who have taken out four of the last five runnings.
Six imports contest this year's running and four of those are the first four in the market led by Spirit Ridge (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) who was on the heels of the placegetters when resuming in the Listed Wagga Cup.
Vying for favouritism is the bold front-runner Deny Knowledge (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai) whose connections are hoping for a drier surface than eventuated at the Sunshine Coast last weekend.
Deny Knowledge | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Her Cranbourne based trainer Mick Kent boasts a good record when travelling and he won this race with Epingle (NZ) (Pins) in 2015.
Another horse bred overseas by a horse who shuttled from Australia is Knights Order (Ire) (So You Think {NZ}) who also ran well fresh in the Wagga Cup whilst New Endeavour (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) comes through a solid performance in the G3 Hawkesbury Cup.
The 2019 G1 VRC Derby hero Warning (Declaration Of War {USA}) usually comes to hand quickly and is one of the leading local chances whilst the 2022 G3 Kingston Town and Listed VRC St Leger winner Alegron (Teofilo {Ire}) is another horse capable of improvement stepping up in distance.
“Vying for favouritism is the bold front-runner Deny Knowledge whose connections are hoping for a drier surface than eventuated at the Sunshine Coast last weekend.”
The same can be said for Kukeracha (NZ) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) whose trainer Chris Waller won this race in 2019 and 2020 with Le Juge (Ire) (Dansili {GB}) and in 2022 with Yonkers (USA) (Medaglia d'Oro {USA}}).
G3 Dark Jewel Classic - in honour of a great broodmare
Whilst Australia hosts a number of races named in honour of the great horses of the turf, there is just a handful in remembrance of the good broodmares and this race is one of them.
A daughter of the great Star Kingdom (Ire), Dark Jewel produced five stakes winners including the big race winners Baguette, Cabochon (Edmundo {GB}) and Heirloom (Rego {Ire}) and is ancestress of another 38 stakes winners.
Fittingly her race has proven a good breeding ground for broodmare success as we outlined in Thursday's issue, and it will be interesting to take note of what this year's winner can achieve.
“A daughter of the great Star Kingdom, Dark Jewel produced five stakes winners including the big race winners Baguette, Cabochon and Heirloom and is ancestress of another 38 stakes winners.”
It is a number of classy mares tackling it; with the major chances being Shadows Of Love (Dissident) who just doesn't know how to run a bad race, Ruthless Dame (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) who ran on well to finish on the heels of the placegetters in the G1 Queen of the Turf S. and Ghaanati (Deep Impact {Jpn}) whose two runs this time in have been full of merit.
Also of interest is Banana Queen (So You Think {NZ}) who changed hands just last week, purchased by Hilldene Farm for $1 million at the Inglis Chairman's Sale. Outsider Wolves (Wolf Cry) was bought the following day by Mitchell Bloodstock for $180,000.
Doomben and Scone- support card action
There is plenty of interest in the other stakes races at Doomben and Scone on Saturday. The up-and-comer Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto) looks set to continue on his winning way in the Listed Member's H. in Brisbane with Territory Express (Territories {Ire}) his major rival.
Some very nice fillies and mares seek valuable black type in the Listed Bright Shadow in which the last start stakes winners Parisal (Astern) and Tiger Shark (Rich Enuff) are being taken on by the flying Typhoon Tavi (I Am Invincible) and the exciting import Bubble Rock (USA) (More Than Ready {USA}).
Parisal has also accepted to run in the Listed Ortensia S. at Scone where Insurrection (Russian Revolution), Opal Ridge (Rubick) and Iowna Merc (Winning Rupert) are her main rivals.
Gringotts (NZ) | Image courtesy of Bradley Photos
The Listed Woodlands S. is Scone's juvenile feature, a race being contested by four smart last start winners - Toque (Street Boss {USA}), Fingers Hunter (Brutal {NZ}), Lazzura (Snitzel) and Graceful Artist (Trapeze Artist).
The Listed Denise's Joy S. for the 3-year-old fillies will also be keenly contested with Spring Lee (Zoustar) and Commemorative (I Am Invincible) the most strongly fancied - the former impressive swamping her rivals at Canterbury a couple of weeks ago whilst the latter has been consistent in stakes company.
Off a gutsy on-pace second in the G1 All-Aged S., Amenable (Lonhro) is the one to beat in the Listed Luskin Star S. in which the consistent Tamerlane (Golden Horn {GB}) and the talented Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) will also have fans.
