The Brisbane Winter Carnival kicks off this Saturday, with the running of the $1m Doomben 10,000. Held over 1200m, the weight-for-age Group 1 has been a key feature on the Brisbane racing calendar, since its first running in 1933, and remains one of the main lead-up races to the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap.
This year’s race will be held across the road at Eagle Farm, due to heavy rain that has already fallen, and is forecast to continue. Last year’s 10,000 was taken out by sprinting stalwart, Eduardo.
Poll time – if necessary would you rather the Doomben 10000 be run on the Sunshine Coast Poly, at Eagle Farm, or postponed until Doomben is safe to race.
— Howard Walter (@HowardWalter1) May 10, 2022
As we look at the market, Dabble has star 3YO Mazu at the top of betting, at $3.10. It’s daylight to Kementari and Count De Rupee, who are $7.00 and $9.00, respectively, then it is Entriviere at $10. A host of runners are just into double figures, suggesting outside the favourite, it’s a very open affair.
However, we know punting can be a hard game at the best of times, let alone when the track is a bog. So, we have dissected each of the horses’ chances for you! Read on below to find our runner by runner preview of the 2022 Doomben 10,000 along with The Shark’s best tips.
1. Kementari (3) – $7.00
Jockey – Nash Rawiller 58.5kg
Trainer – James Cummings
Enigmatic gelding, who was a brilliant winner of the Hall Mark Stakes first up. Although heavily criticised, the ride from Nash Rawiller won him the race on that occasion, and he’s back on board again here. He’s proven he loves wet tracks, and that’s exactly what he’ll get here. Looks one of the main dangers to the favourite.
2. Vega One (1) – $41
Jockey – William Pike 58.5kg
Trainer – Tony Gollan
Resumed from a long spell in the Victory Stakes with a pass mark. He got a long way back on that occasion, and although he only beat one home, his final furlong was strong. He finished 4th in this race last year, before finishing 2nd in the Stradbroke Handicap. Definitely good enough, and likes the wet, but may need one more run.
3. Count De Rupee (5) – $9.00
Jockey – Brock Ryan 58.5kg
Trainer – Robert & Luke Price
Doomben 10000 field looks extremely good. Count De Rupee(8/1) owners will fancy their chances
— heisen (@heisen353) May 5, 2022
Looked home in the Hall Mark Stakes two back, but was beaten on the line by Kementari. He was then sent north and won the Victory Stakes last start at this track/distance. Handles all conditions, and should get a nice run from the gate. Has to be respected.
4. Zoustyle (11) – $17
Jockey – Brad Stewart 58.5kg
Trainer – Tony Gollan
Local speed machine, who finished 3rd first up in the Ascot Handicap, after being tardy into stride. No doubt he will make light work of the wide gate here, if he jumps on terms, but is yet to see a heavy track. In saying that, he has a good record on soft ground, and will give punters a sight at odds. The final furlong will be his test.
5. Rothfire (7) – $14
Jockey – James Orman 58.5kg
Trainer – Robert Heathcote
Boom gelding, who resumed from a break in the Victory Stakes, and could only manage 5th place despite being odds on. He should have taken plenty of improvement from that, and has a brilliant record at Eagle Farm. The query will be the heavy ground, but if he handles it, he’s in with a big show.
6. Shelby Sixtysix (14) – SCRATCHED
Jockey – Jim Byrne 58.5kg
Trainer – Danny Williams
*This horse has since been scratched.*
Noted wet tracker, who has lost all form since winning the G1 Galaxy in March. Will get conditions to suit here, but not sure he’s going well enough to beat a few of these home.
7. Signore Fox (9) – $61
Jockey – Ben Thompson 58.5kg
Trainer – Peter & Paul Snowden
Form this prep has been well below par for this 6YO gelding. Returns to Brisbane where he is a winner here at Eagle Farm, and was placed in last year’s Stradbroke. Hard to have him in the numbers on his recent efforts, but is capable of running a race on his day.
8. Baller (4) – $61
Jockey – Leith Innes 58.5kg
Trainer – Tony Gollan
Consistent sprinter who was a bit plain first up in the Victory Stakes. Heavy track is a question mark, but he’s drawn well and comes from a good yard. In saying that, happy to watch him go around here.
9. Mazu (8) – $3.10F
Jockey – Sam Clipperton 57kg
Trainer – Peter & Paul Snowden
MAZU emerging from the gloom at Randwick this morning 👀
He received the ✅ of approval from both @SnowdenRacing1 and Sam Clipperton, so it’s all systems go for Saturday’s G1 Doomben 10,000 🤞#LiveTheDream pic.twitter.com/hHxzv1ajTv
— Triple Crown Syndications (@TripleCrownSynd) May 10, 2022
Star 3YO who is unbeaten this prep. Put away a small, but quality field last start in the Arrowfield Stakes, and has trialled well since, in preparation for this. Is unbeaten on heavy tracks, and gets his chance to add a G1 to his vastly growing CV. The one to beat.
10. Paulele (6) – $12
Jockey – James McDonald 57kg
Trainer – James Cummings
Finished 3rd in the TJ Smith behind Nature Strip and Eduardo, before chasing home Mazu last start in the Arrowfield. Should get a cosy run from the gate, and has McDonald on board, but will need to find on his last run, if he is to turn the tables on Mazu here. Place hope.
11. Generation (10) – $11
Jockey – Jamie Kah 57kg
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Lightly raced colt who wasn’t far away last start, in the William Reid Stakes, behind September Run. Had a solid hitout in a recent trial to prepare him for this, and gets the visors on here. Should roll forward from the gate, and should be in it for a long way.
“I’m very happy with him, his fitness is spot on. He’s travelled up in good order.”
Ciaron Maher on Generation in the Doomben 10,000 #RacingPulse
— RSN927am (@RSN927) May 12, 2022
12. Alpine Edge (12) – $81
Jockey – Robbie Fradd 57kg
Trainer – Toby & Trent Edmonds
Disappointing effort first up in the Listed Mick Dittman Plate, where he struck a heavy track for the first time. Will get similar conditions here, and it’s hard to see him winning on that performance.
13. Entriviere (15) – $10
Jockey – Opie Bosson 56.5kg
Trainer – Mark Walker
Kiwi mare who finished 2nd to Levante last start, in G1 company. Those form lines stood up in the Newmarket this year, and she has a brilliant 1200m record. The outside gate makes it tricky, but if she gets some luck in the run, she’s definitely good enough to win.
14. Isotope (13) – $11
Jockey – Ryan Maloney 56.5kg
Trainer – Tony Gollan
Talented local mare, who was good in winning the Magic Millions Sprint two starts back, before a lacklustre performance in The Galaxy last start. Surprised to see her amongst acceptances here considering the forecast, but she is 3 from 3 on soft. If it’s not too wet, she’s a chance, but if it’s heavy, I wouldn’t like a ticket with her name on it.
15. Minhaaj (2) – $26
Jockey – Tommy Berry 56.5kg
Trainer – John O’Shea
Struck trouble first up in the Oakleigh Plate, before finishing well back in the Sapphire Stakes last start. Has a stack of ability, but is yet to strike a blow this prep. Her run on the heavy ground last start doesn’t give backers much confidence here, but she could improve with the blinkers back on. Not the worst.
Final Word
Despite the wet weather in south east Queensland, this year’s Doomben 10,000 is a cracking race. There looks plenty of speed from the likes of Zoustyle and Rothfire, which should gift the favourite Mazu with a nice trail.
Is Mazu a moral in Saturday’s Doomben 10,000? pic.twitter.com/HZigpZe4ki
— TAB (@tabcomau) May 10, 2022
He (Mazu) clearly looks the one to beat, and is a deserved favourite in my opinion. He’s made light work of some very smart 3YO’s in Sydney this prep, and is unbeaten in heavy going. This will be his first look at Eagle Farm, which is the only possible query, but he looks a star on the rise.
Fellow 3YO Paulele has good form leading into this race. He chased home two of the best sprinters around, in Nature Strip and Eduardo two back, before running into Mazu last start. He should get a nice trail from the gate, and will be hitting the line hard.
His stablemate Kementari has been racing well, and returned a winner at Randwick a month ago. That form has since been franked, with Count De Rupee winning the Victory Stakes. He’s 2 from 2 on the heavy, and has drawn a favourable gate.
Of the others, Generation and Entriviere both bring good form into this race. Generation was only beaten 2L in the William Reid last start, and gets the visors on for this, which could spark some improvement, and the Kiwi mare, Entriviere, has some very solid form lines across the ditch. If she can overcome the wide gate, she’s right in this.
Best Doomben 10,000 Tip: 9. Mazu – Win ($3.10)
Doomben 10,000 numbers: 9-10-1-11
If you need more news, information and tips, head over to our Doomben 10,000 page for all your punting needs!
*Odds correct at time of writing, courtesy of Dabble.
