2017 Doomben Cup First-Up for Sound Proposition

The Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott-trained Kiwi galloper Sound Proposition is set to debut down under later this month with a first-up run in the Doomben Cup 2017.

Doncaster Mile winner It’s Somewhat leads all-in 2017 Doomben Cup betting this winter. Photo: Steve Hart.

One of the first elite level races of the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival, the weight-for-age $650,000 Group 1 Hardy Brothers Doomben Cup (2000m) on May 20 is the confirmed target for Savabeel five-year-old sound Proposition.

“The owners are keen to have a crack at the Doomben Cup first-up,” co-trainer O’Sullivan told the New Zealand Racing Desk on Sunday.

“It’s probably the toughest one, but if for any reason he didn’t measure up then he can always go back to handicaps.”

The gelding has form back home around some very good stayers including a third behind subsequent Caulfield Cup winner Mongolian Khan in the 2015 Group 1 NZ Derby (2400m), which he lost due to disqualification.

Sound Proposition went on to enjoy his own Group 1 success over the Ellerslie mile in last year’s Easter Stakes and was last seen running a close fifth behind Seventh Up in that same race on April 22 this autumn.

“It was a very good run and he carried two kilos more [with 58kg] than anything that finished in front of him,” O’Sullivan said of the unsuccessful Easter Stakes title defence.

The run before in mid-March was also brave when the galloper finished only one and a half lengths away third behind Lizzie L’amour and Benzini in the Group 1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m).

“Through nobody’s fault, he was going backwards between the 800 and 600 when he should have been going forwards so he could have made it interesting with a bit more luck,” O’Sullivan said.

“He’s maturing now, he’s always been a very weak racehorse.”

The Doomben Cup 2017 nominations close on Wednesday May 3.

Current all-in Doomben Cup odds at Ladbrokes.com.au are led by the Darren Weir-trained French import Articus and Godolphin’s Doncaster Mile winner It’s Somewhat at $7.

A key lead-up to the race runs at the Gold Coast Racecourse this weekend with a field of Doomben Cup hopes facing off in the $358,000 Group 2 A.D. Hollindale Stakes (1800m).

The Hollindale has produced more Doomben Cup winners than any other lead-up including most recently Streama who completed the double in 2014.

To check out the full Doomben Cup 2017 betting markets before prices firm with the nominations this week head to Ladbrokes.com.au.