After the fun and frivolity in the freezing weather, the focus on Aussie racing heads north to Queensland and their 'winter' carnival. There has been plenty of rain in recent weeks down the east coast, but at the time of posting, the track rating was Soft 5.
Returning to the blog after a healthy spell in the paddock is Joshua Langdon, @wenin_rome.
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The Bundaberg Rum Doomben Cup
Group 1, WFA, 2000m
Doomben 15:27 local time, 0627 BST
Pace looks average at best with Leebaz and Pornichet the likely leaders, Addictive Habit and Banca Mo should not too far off. It’s a long run to the first bend for the 2000m at Doomben, so drawing a wider gate may not be too much of a disadvantage.
The Hollindale had no less than eight runners there who are turning up today and that should very well be the best guide.
Leebaz led all the way to just hold on from a charging Sir Moments in the Hollindale and despite there being no Sir Moments here today due to injury, Leebaz could find the extra 200m a challenge, similar to what happened in this race last year. He has been up for quite some time now; however, he cannot be completely dismissed and will be among the couple they need to chase down.
There were two flashing late runs in the Hollindale, with the first coming from I’m Imposing who has been absolutely flying over the past six months and deserves a Group 1 victory. The extra 200m looks ideal, with a victory at Group level over the 2000m just a few months ago in the Summer Cup. The knock may be that he could have used an extra run prior to this, but he did enough last start to suggest he’s ready to run a very good race. The second eye-catching run was that of Foreteller, who was not that far behind I’m Imposing, and was unlucky not to be even a little closer after finding traffic in the straight. It has been a long time between drinks for him though so you would need to take on trust.
The horse which could either really improve or go backwards out of the Hollindale is Green Moon who was wide the trip, arguably had the toughest run, and yet still finished the race off very well. The distance will be no issue and Chad Schofield seems to get the best out of the rising eight year-old. The wider gate could be tricky, but Schofield will have plenty of time to get him into a workable position.
Forgive the last start effort of Hawkspur in the Hollindale, he jumped awkwardly and was never in it. Two starts prior to that he was ultra-competitive over 2000m, finishing 2L off Pornichet in the Sellwood G3 and then 2L off Hartnell in the Sky High G3. He gets a 2.5kg swing on Pornichet here, has performed well in Brisbane previously and can’t be completely overlooked.
Pornichet is the other obvious one and while he has been set for this, he will need to step up a gear from the Toowoomba Cup and may also find WFA quite a bit tougher. Those are the knocks, but he looks to get a lovely run, has genuine class and the 2000m should suit him better than the 2150m. Along with Leebaz they will need to catch him in the final furlong, but he has proven his worth over the distance and is a serious danger. If you’re keen on Pornichet then it might be worth also including Hopfgarten in your multiples. The 2000m shouldn’t hold any concerns after his strong 2150m last start and has a superb record at this track. But this is his biggest test and he could well be out of his depth.
Top Rated
1. I’m Imposing
2. Pornichet
3. Green Moon
Next best: Hawkspur and could be worth an E/W bet.
Returning to the blog after a healthy spell in the paddock is Joshua Langdon, @wenin_rome.
----------------------
The Bundaberg Rum Doomben Cup
Group 1, WFA, 2000m
Doomben 15:27 local time, 0627 BST
Pace looks average at best with Leebaz and Pornichet the likely leaders, Addictive Habit and Banca Mo should not too far off. It’s a long run to the first bend for the 2000m at Doomben, so drawing a wider gate may not be too much of a disadvantage.
The Hollindale had no less than eight runners there who are turning up today and that should very well be the best guide.
Leebaz led all the way to just hold on from a charging Sir Moments in the Hollindale and despite there being no Sir Moments here today due to injury, Leebaz could find the extra 200m a challenge, similar to what happened in this race last year. He has been up for quite some time now; however, he cannot be completely dismissed and will be among the couple they need to chase down.
There were two flashing late runs in the Hollindale, with the first coming from I’m Imposing who has been absolutely flying over the past six months and deserves a Group 1 victory. The extra 200m looks ideal, with a victory at Group level over the 2000m just a few months ago in the Summer Cup. The knock may be that he could have used an extra run prior to this, but he did enough last start to suggest he’s ready to run a very good race. The second eye-catching run was that of Foreteller, who was not that far behind I’m Imposing, and was unlucky not to be even a little closer after finding traffic in the straight. It has been a long time between drinks for him though so you would need to take on trust.
The horse which could either really improve or go backwards out of the Hollindale is Green Moon who was wide the trip, arguably had the toughest run, and yet still finished the race off very well. The distance will be no issue and Chad Schofield seems to get the best out of the rising eight year-old. The wider gate could be tricky, but Schofield will have plenty of time to get him into a workable position.
Forgive the last start effort of Hawkspur in the Hollindale, he jumped awkwardly and was never in it. Two starts prior to that he was ultra-competitive over 2000m, finishing 2L off Pornichet in the Sellwood G3 and then 2L off Hartnell in the Sky High G3. He gets a 2.5kg swing on Pornichet here, has performed well in Brisbane previously and can’t be completely overlooked.
Pornichet is the other obvious one and while he has been set for this, he will need to step up a gear from the Toowoomba Cup and may also find WFA quite a bit tougher. Those are the knocks, but he looks to get a lovely run, has genuine class and the 2000m should suit him better than the 2150m. Along with Leebaz they will need to catch him in the final furlong, but he has proven his worth over the distance and is a serious danger. If you’re keen on Pornichet then it might be worth also including Hopfgarten in your multiples. The 2000m shouldn’t hold any concerns after his strong 2150m last start and has a superb record at this track. But this is his biggest test and he could well be out of his depth.
Top Rated
1. I’m Imposing
2. Pornichet
3. Green Moon
Next best: Hawkspur and could be worth an E/W bet.
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