Doomben Cup Preview

A small field of only six runners will go around in the DOOMBEN CUP for 4Y+ over 2000m on Turf at Queensland Racecourse for $250,000. The main chances appear to be:

VINO VERITAS (KY) 5YH 21 starts 5-5-5 $367,103 (spqr2nd)
Lightly raced five year old who ran a close second at Berkshire in similar grade over 1800m last start. Good win three runs back at Surrey when he lead and hung on gamely. Has been placed 15 times from 21 starts and owner spqr2nd has booked top hoop C.Wyatt. Will be hard to beat.

SEEKING NESS (KY) 6YH 45 starts 12-8-5 $717,520 (rlogan)
Scored a good win in the United Arab Emirates over this distance last start coming from the tail of the field to win running away in an Allowance Race. Finds it hard to take step up to stakes class but this is not a very strong field. Jockey L.Wilber is in good form at the moment and will be finishing fast but may be giving Vino Vertitas too much start.

IRISH RANGER (KY) 5YH 40 starts 14-8-6 $1,461,805 (dancards)
Won the Balerion Stakes over 1900m in Denmark two starts back and then placed in Grade 3 at Berkshire. The class horse of the field and will there at the finish.

SOUL PROJECT (IRE) 6YH 52 starts 15-10-5 $261,248 (primusstc)
Beaten as favourite last start in Stakes Race in Greece in a disappointing effort. Won an easier Allowance race over this trip at same track on rain affected track three starts back.

SPECIAL PLACE (KY) 5YH 36 starts 11-9-9 $397,205 (turfking32)
Tailed off in harder Grade 2 race over 2400m at Newmarket last start, ignore that run. Won easily three runs back over this distance in Arizona in easier Allowance race. Has one of Queensland’s top hoops M.Cameron on top but may struggle here.

MY SELECTIONS
4 Vino Veritas 9/5
5 Seeking Ness 7/2
2 Irish Ranger 2/1