On Saturday, Sydney trainer Chris Waller enjoyed great success at the latest Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival meeting, headlined by Metal Bender’s earnest win in the $500,000 Group 1 Doomben Cup (2020m).

Four-year-old Metal Bender dominated the betting markets for the 2010 Kirks Doomben Cup since they opened, and started the race as the hot favourite.

In a thrilling finish that could have gone any number of ways over the final 50 metres, Metal Bender ($3.20) defeated Gai Waterhouse’s in-form mare Gold Water ($7.50) by a mere head, with the winner’s stablemate Triple Honour ($12) running a gallant third just a further short-half-head away.

Second favourite in the betting markets, the Anthony Cummings-trained Road To Rock ($3.70) finished off his racing career running fourth in the Group 1 feature and will now head to stud.

New Zealand runner Sir Time Keeper was fast out of the gates, the $7.50 chance setting a furious early pace. However the Graeme Nicholson-trained runner couldn’t maintain his lead, tiring in the grinding finish to cross the line 10^th, one behind stablemate Sir Slick.

Runner-up Gold Water was super impressive in the Doomben Cup, getting to the lead on the straight. Metal Bender looked in trouble from the turn, but his big heart was enough to push him hard to the line so he overtook Gold Water in the final stride to secure the win.

Backing up from a previous impressive win the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m), Danasinga gelding Metal Bender has now won seven of his 13 career starts and Saturday’s prizemoney boosted his earnings to over $1,365,400.

Metal Bender will now be sent to the paddock for a well earned rest while Waller charts their spring racing campaign.

Earlier in the day Waller enjoyed more success as his promising two-year-old Pressday coasted to victory in the $150,000 Group 2 Champagne Classic (1200m), and his Fastnet Rock colt Stryker took out the $125,000 Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1350m).

The other Group race highlights at the meeting were the $175,000 Group 3 Doomben Roses (2020m) where Victorian filly Marheta claimed victory; the $125,000 Group 3 BRC Sprint (1350m) taken out by the Peter Snowden-trained Beaded; and the $100,000 Group 3 Lord Mayor’s Cup (1615m) won by the odds-on favourite Rothesay.

Many of these classy black type winners are continuing their winter campaigns with runs in the upcoming Group features at Eagle Farm, so jump onto [iasbet] to back them at the best odds!

2010 Doomben Cup Results