Chris Waller’s in-form veteran galloper I’m Imposing has opened clear favourite to bank in on some nice recent runs with a win in Saturday’s Lord Mayor’s Cup 2015 at Doomben Racecourse.
Set to run as Race 4 on the Doomben 10,000 Day program at 1:17pm (AEST), this year’s $125,000 Group 3 Programmed Property Services Lord Mayor’s Cup (1600m) features a final field of only 11 milers.
Drawn nicely in barrier two with Tye Angland to ride is Waller’s rising 10-year-old import I’m Imposing, the Danehill Dancer gelding paying $3.70 through Ladbrokes.com.au to win for the first time since Boxing Day’s Group 3 Summer Cup (2000m) in Sydney last year.
The horse has run third in his two runs this time in, firstly behind Leebaz in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) on Anzac Day and then behind Gai Waterhouse’s classy French import Pornichet in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) on May 9.
That is ideal form leading into the Lord Mayor’s Cup against a much easier class of rivals.
The next best in Lord Mayor’s Cup betting at $5.50 each are then the Waller-trained Strawberry Boy ($5.50) and local hope Hopfgarten ($5.50) prepared by Robert Heathcote.
Six-year-old Redoute’s Choice gelding Strawberry Boy is third-up on the weekend having run sixth last start in the Scone Cup over the mile on May 15 when beaten only one and three-quarter lengths.
While Saturday is Strawberry Boy’s maiden run at Doomben, he does boast a nice record of two wins and a third from four previous runs over the distance.
Hopfgarten meanwhile jumps from gate five with Damian Browne riding the recent Listed Tails Stakes (1630m) winner.
A four-year-old son of Mossman, Hopfgarten was third next start behind Pornichet in the Toowoomba Cup (2150m) before a brave fifth behind the same horse in the Doomben Cup – the drop back from Group 1 company to work in his favour this weekend back at the track.
Also at single figures for the win are then the rails-drawn Peter & Paul Snowden-trained Lucky Lago ($7.50) with Tommy Berry riding and the market mover Estonian Princess backed right in from $11 to $8.
Gerald Ryan prepares four-year-old Snitzel mare Estonian Princess who is well supported to beat home the boys this weekend and atone for her 10th last time out when beaten five lengths by the winner Charlie Boy in the Group 3 BRC Sprint (1350m) on May 9.
Also worth a look at more generous odds are the likes of the Tony Gollan-trained BRC Sprint fourth placed Jet Spur four-year-old Gundy Spirit ($10) drawn well in barrier three, Kelly Schweida’s evergreen seven-year-old Epic ($12) and Heathcote’s last start Members’ Handicap winner Bewhatyouwannabe ($13).
See below for the full Lord Mayor’s Cup 2015 field, barriers, jockeys and fixed win odds provided by Ladbrokes.com.au who are offering Best Tote or SP + 20% on the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 this weekend!