Zaaki Dominates 2022 Doomben Cup Field & Betting Markets

May 17, 2022

Zaaki Dominates 2022 Doomben Cup Field & Betting Markets

Last year’s seven-length champion Zaaki returns in similar order and is odds-on favourite to go back-to-back in Saturday’s Doomben Cup 2022 in Brisbane.

Zaaki | Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos | Races.com.au

Last year’s seven-length winner Zaaki is back to defend his title in the 2022 Doomben Cup this weekend in Brisbane. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

Annabel Neasham’s star import will face just nine rivals for his title defence in the Group 1 $1 million Doomben Cup (2000m) this weekend, and he is drawn a treat in barrier three for James McDonald.

Group 1 racing for the carnival heads to Doomben Racecourse following last weekend’s Doomben 10,000 meeting that was moved to Eagle Farm due to heavy rainfall.

Ultra-consistent Leroidesanimaux seven-year-old Zaaki is the main attraction chasing dual Doomben Cup wins for the first time since the three-peat of Rough Habit (1991-93).

Last winter he was excellent when demolishing the competition by that runaway margin off a Group 2 A.D. Hollindale Stakes win at the Gold Coast.

He comes via the same lead-up having secured this year’s Hollindale Stakes trophy fresh on May 7 for his first win since the $5 million The All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington in March.

Doomben Cup betting at Ladbrokes.com.au on the final field has Zaaki at a justifiably short quote of $1.50 and it looks only bad luck will see the $7 million earner beaten.

Success in the Doomben Cup as the reigning Hollindale Stakes winner will also see Zaaki secure a $200,000 bonus for connections.

Neasham however has warned punters that Zaaki’s best form is on dryer ground and that on Heavy going she would be more than happy for him to win on Saturday by whatever margin.

“I don’t care if it is a photo this time around, a win is a win,” she told News Corp.

“I don’t think he’s as good on the wet but he is in a similar vein of form at home (as last year), he doesn’t seem to be getting any older.

“A couple of the opposition are supreme wet-trackers so I’d prefer a firmer surface.

“It is enjoyable having a horse like him of course, but you do feel an element of pressure.

“When he crosses the line in front – the Hollindale was just relief – which is strange because it should be elation.”

The only other final acceptor at single-figure Doomben Cup odds this season is Chris Waller’s in-form mare Polly Grey at $7.

Waller chases his fourth Doomben Cup trophy following previous wins with: Metal Bender (2010), Beaten Up (2013) and Comin’ Through (2018).

Jumping from gate seven with Tim Clark in the saddle, seven-year-old Azamour grey Polly Grey has her 42nd career start in the Doomben Cup field.

Two back she won the Group 3 JRA Plate (2000m) at Randwick on a Heavy (8) by over five lengths in a massive effort.

Franking that form, she was last seen running second to Zaaki under a length beaten in the Hollindale, and she is out to turn the tables this weekend.

Waller saddles-up four runners in the Doomben Cup field in 2022 with Polly Grey joined by stablemates: surprise Hollindale Stakes third placed four-year-old Kukeracha ($12), Melbourne Cup performed Great House ($16) coming off a Gosford Cup second and 2021 All Aged Stakes winner Kolding ($61).

The other best in Doomben Cup betting is the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained French-bred five-year-old Huetor ($5).

A winner of five of his 14 starts to date and undefeated at the distance, the emerging weight-for-age performer was last seen running fourth in the Hollindale with improvement to come over further this weekend.

Click here for the latest Doomben Cup 2022 odds on the final field courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au.

2022 Doomben Cup Final Field & Barrier Draw

No Last 10 Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Probable Weight Penalty Hcp Rating
1 x1131x2121 ZAAKI (GB) Annabel Neasham James McDonald 3 59kg 119
2 4205×13330 THE CHOSEN ONE (NZ) Andrew Forsman Opie Bosson 6 59kg 110
3 x599x04800 KOLDING (NZ) Chris Waller Jim Byrne 1 59kg 110
4 x28057x613 KUKERACHA (NZ) Chris Waller James Orman 8 59kg 105
5 15510×4382 GREAT HOUSE (IRE) Chris Waller William Pike 9 59kg 104
6 019x111x34 HUETOR (FR) Peter & Paul Snowden Kerrin McEvoy 5 59kg 96
7 2242x6x00x MAXIMAL (GB) John O’Shea Nash Rawiller 2 59kg 95
8 1x42x7x956 ESTI FENY (HUN) Matthew Smith Ryan Maloney 4 59kg 92
9 x013x20212 POLLY GREY (NZ) Chris Waller Tim Clark 7 57kg 110
10 09×1221125 COVENTINA BAY (NZ) Robbie Patterson Ms Samantha Collett 10 57kg 108

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

Racing fields and data are copyright 2011-2021 © Racing Australia Pty Ltd (RA) (and other parties working with it).
Racing materials, including fields, form and results, is subject to copyright which is owned by RA and other parties working with it. Full copyright notice.

Spring Racing

Military Mission Fires in 2023...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field �...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title

Danny O’Brien’s 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare continues to show a...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbott...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Betting Markets

Bjron Baker’s The Everest performer Overpass is tipped to return to winning...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 R...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 Race Field & Betting

The Chris Waller-trained Pierro four-year-old Osipenko is firm favourite in...

2023 Railway Stakes Field ...

2023 Railway Stakes Field & Betting Update: Tuvalu Narrow Favourite

The Lindsey Smith-trained top-weight Tuvalu is narrow favourite in the latest...

Horse Racing Today

2024 Coolmore Classic Winner Z...

2024 All-Star Mile Results: Pr...

2024 All-Star Mile Results: Pride Of Jenni Beats Mr Brightside by 2 Lengths

Pride Of Jenni was enormous running her rivals ragged with a blistering...

2024 Pago Pago Stakes Results:...

2024 Pago Pago Stakes Results: McEvoy’s Dublin Down on Golden Slipper Bid

Dublin Down is into Saturday week’s 2024 Golden Slipper field after a gutsy...

Randwick Guineas 2024 Results:...

Randwick Guineas 2024 Results: Celestial Legend Nudges out Militarize on the Line

Celestial Legend put the writing on the wall for a huge year ahead with the...

2024 Canterbury Stakes Results...

2024 Canterbury Stakes Results: Lady Laguna Upsets Think About It, Espiona Third

Top honours in the 2024 Canterbury Stakes results at Royal Randwick went to...

Race Results

2024 Coolmore Classic Winner Zougotcha Dives Late to Salute

2024 All-Star Mile Results: Pride Of Jenni Beats Mr Brightside by 2 Lengths

2024 Pago Pago Stakes Results: McEvoy’s Dublin Down on Golden Slipper Bid

Randwick Guineas 2024 Results: Celestial Legend Nudges out Militarize on the Line

2024 Canterbury Stakes Results: Lady Laguna Upsets Think About It, Espiona Third

Race Previews

2024 Golden Slipper Stakes Field & Barriers: Storm Boy Draws Two

Magic Night Winner Drifting Firms in Golden Slipper 2024 Betting

Zougotcha Heads 2024 Coolmore Classic Field & Odds

2024 All-Star Mile Field & Betting Update: Mr Brightside Odds-On

2024 Adelaide Cup Field & Betting Update: The Map Leads the Way

Fields & Form

2024 Golden Slipper Stakes Field & Barriers: Storm Boy Draws Two

Zougotcha Heads 2024 Coolmore Classic Field & Odds

2024 All-Star Mile Field & Betting Update: Mr Brightside Odds-On

2024 Adelaide Cup Field & Betting Update: The Map Leads the Way

2024 Randwick Guineas Field & Odds Update: Militarize Set to Strike Second-Up