Horse Racing

This Saturday the elite racing action of the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival continues at Doomben as the esteemed Queensland course hosts their next big meeting, Kirks Doomben Cup Day.

The scheduled highlight is of course the $500,000 Group 1 Doomben Cup (2020m), headlined by the three horses that ran the trifecta in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast on May 8, Metal Bender, Road To Rock and Gold Water.

Hollindale Stakes winner Metal Bender, trained by Chris Waller, is the hot pre-race favourite following the barrier draw currently at $2.90 through IASbet.

Drawn in barrier seven and due to be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, following first-choice jockey Hugh Bowman’s eight meeting suspension, the four-year-old will be looking to back up with another Group race victory on Saturday and hold off some classy rivals including dual Group 1 winner Road To Rock.

The Anthony Cummings-trained Road To Rock will have his final race start in the Doomben Cup before heading to stud, and has suffered a blow drawing out wide in barrier 10 for his swansong run.

He still has the stamina and the talent to push on and seek revenge on Metal Bender after finishing a close second to the Danasinga gelding last start in the Hollindale.

Despite the wide draw, Road To Rock has been well backed for Doomben Cup success and is the $4 second favourite at IASbet to become a triple Group 1 winner.

Cummings believes his chances lie in the Brisbane weather, and is praying the rain holds off so Road To Rock can finish his racing career with the best chance possible, and that means a firm track.

Also out wide in barrier 11 is four-year-old mare Gold Water, currently at $6.50 for a win with IASbet. The talented daughter of Chosir, trained by Gai Waterhouse, is coming off a succession of frustrating minor placings including their third place finish to Metal Bender in the Hollindale, and finishing runner-up to Sacred Choice in the Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1600m) on April 24.

Other runners with claims that could cause an upset on Saturday include three-year-old New Zealand colt Sir Time Keeper drawn ideally in barrier two and coming off three wins, and Chris Waller’s other runner Triple Honour who will start on the inside rails.

If the skies open up and Saturday sees a wet track at Doomben, then Lee Freedman’s classy imported galloper Doctor Freemantle becomes one of the best chances.

Currently the ex-English runner is at $11 for a win with IASbet after failing to impress in his previous Australian starts, but a wet track will see him shorten significantly in the betting markets.

Doomben Cup Day is brimful of thrilling betting opportunities, with six other Group status events set to run.

The other highlights at Doomben on Saturday are:

$150,000 Group 2 Champagne Classic (1200m)

$175,000 Group 3 Doomben Roses (2020m)

$125,000 Group 3 BRC Sprint (1350m)

$125,000 Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1350m)

$100,000 Group 3 Lord Mayor’s Cup (1615m)

$150,000 Group 3 Moreton Stakes (1350m)

For previews and info on these other great races visit Doomben.com.au. IASbet have the best betting odds on these races and more, so visit them today and sign up for their $100 free bet promotion! Full T&C’s at IASbet.

The Doomben Cup will run as race 10 at the meeting and is due to jump at 3:30pm.

2010 Doomben Cup Final Field & Barrier Draw