Fresh off a brave fourth in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) over the weekend, Darren Weir’s veteran stayer Akzar has been nominated for another Doomben run this weekend in the Premier’s Cup 2014.
Akzar is nominated to back up off a Doomben Cup fourth in the Premier's Cup 2014 this weekend. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia.
One of a host of Group races on the Doomben 10,000 Day program in Brisbane on Saturday this year’s $125,000 Group 3 Channel Seven Premier’s Cup (2200m) drew a bumper 23 nominations today.
Heading those is Selkirk seven-year-old Akzar who came within two and a quarter lengths of the Guy Walter-trained champion mare Streama who won her fourth Group 1 in the Doomben Cup.
Akzar went into the race on the back of a blistering six length victory in the Warnambool Cup (2350m) and is sure to appreciate a step back up in distance again for the Premier’s Cup if accepted for the weekend.
Another Doomben Cup graduate nominated for the Premier’s Cup seven days later is then the Chris Waller-trained Moriarty who ran less than a quarter length further back than Akzar in fifth.
The Clodovil six-year-old also ran fifth to Streama the start before in the Group 2 AD Hollindale Stakes (1800m) on the Gold Coast but is sure to improve when stepped back in class for the Premier’s.
Waller plays a strong hand in the Premier’s Cup nominations this year too with Moriarty one of five entries for Sydney’s premier trainer.
His other entries are Permit, Danchai who ran second to Pretty Pins in the Group 3 Chairman’s Handicap (2000m) at the track on May 10, and Lord Mayor’s Cup second and third place getters on the same day in Sydney I’m Imposing and Secessio.
John Thompson’s Chairman’s Handicap winner Pretty Pins another top Premier’s Cup nominee as is Lord Mayor’s Cup champion Zephyron for Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes who improved on an 11th the start before in the Group 3 JRA Plate (2000m) to win the Listed feature.
Also coming via the Chairman’s Handicap at this track two weeks back on Saturday are Group 2 winning Kiwi mare Lauren Tate (4th) and Sunshine Coast galloper Heartfelt Quest (5th).
Other notable nominees include Doomben Cup seventh placed Hollindale Stakes runner-up Mr O’Ceirin who is better suited in the wet and reigning Premier’s Cup winner Precedence coming via a Hollindale third.
See below for the full Premier’s Cup 2014 nominations with the final field and barriers set for release on Wednesday morning.
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2014 Premier’s Cup Nominations
Doomben Racecourse – 24/05/2014
| # | Horse | Trainer | Hcp. Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AKZAR (IRE) | Darren Weir | 103 |
| 2 | DANCHAI (GB) | Chris Waller | 95 |
| 3 | FLYING HOME | Barry Baldwin | – |
| 4 | FREEZY (IRE) | Anthony Freedman | – |
| 5 | HEARTFELT QUEST | Len Treloar | 85 |
| 6 | I’M IMPOSING (GB) | Chris Waller | – |
| 7 | LAUREN TATE (NZ) | John Morell | 96 |
| 8 | MALING | David J Lawlor | 79 |
| 9 | MILITARY MOVE (NZ) | Shaune Ritchie | 101 |
| 10 | MORIARTY (IRE) | Chris Waller | 108 |
| 11 | MR O’CEIRIN (NZ) | Ciaron Maher | – |
| 12 | PERFECT START (NZ) | Wayne Hillis | 83 |
| 13 | PERMIT (GB) | Chris Waller | – |
| 14 | PRECEDENCE (NZ) | Bart & James Cummings | 107 |
| 15 | PRETTY PINS (NZ) | John P Thompson | 96 |
| 16 | RAEBURN | Brian Smith | 86 |
| 17 | SECESSIO (GB) | Chris Waller | – |
| 18 | SKYSOBLUE (NZ) | Graeme Sanders | – |
| 19 | TRAJET | Liam Birchley | – |
| 20 | VESPER | Michael Jacobs | 84 |
| 21 | WALDPARK (GER) | Anthony Freedman | – |
| 22 | ZENNISTA (NZ) | Lisa Latta | 103 |
| 23 | ZEPHYRON (NZ) | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | – |
