2022 Doomben Cup Runner By Runner Preview, Odds & Tips

Free Horse Racing Tips
Thu 26th May 2022
Overwhelmed?

Overwhelmed?

We'll message you the best tips for today!

*Update 21st May: This meeting has been shifted to Wednesday (25th May) after extensive rain on Saturday caused the meeting to be abandoned.*

*Update 23rd May: This meeting has again been shifted, this time to Saturday 28th May, after rain in Queensland all weekend. The race has also been moved to Eagle Farm (from Doomben) as the drainage is better. This means there will be 3 Group 1s at Eagle Farm this Saturday.*

This Saturday will see ‘take three’ of the Group 1 Doomben Cup after wet weather has wreaked havoc on South East Queensland in recent weeks. Like the Doomben 10,000, this year’s Doomben Cup will be run at Eagle Farm Racecourse on a day already highlighted by two Group 1’s, the Queensland Derby and Kingsford-Smith Cup. 

Held over 2000m, the $1m Doomben Cup has long been a part of the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival. Some notable winners of the weight-for-age race include; Bernborough (1946), Might and Power (1998), Intergaze (1999), and Champion Kiwi Rough Habit, who won the race three years on the trot from 1991-93. Last year’s race was taken out by Zaaki, who looks poised to make it back-to-back Cups this year and has come up very short in the market.

Dabble currently has him $1.40 favourite, ahead of Hollindale Stakes runner up Polly Grey at $9.00. At this stage these two are the only runners in single figures with Huetor next best at $12.

However, we know with horse racing that anything can happen and it’s not unusual for an odds on favourite to bite the dust every now and then. So, we have dissected each of the horses’ chances for you and given our horse racing tips! Read on below to find our runner by runner preview of the 2022 Doomben Cup along with The Shark’s best tips.

1. Zaaki (10) – $1.40F
Jockey – James McDonald 59kg
Trainer – Annabel Neasham

Star galloper who won this race last year by a big margin, after winning the Hollindale Stakes. Fast forward 12 months and he’s looking to repeat that all over again. He led and never looked in doubt last start in the Hollindale, and meets a similar field here. He’s very short in the market, and clearly looks the one they have to beat.


2. The Chosen One (3) – $41
Jockey – Opie Bosson 59kg
Trainer – Andrew Forsman

Kiwi veteran who was eased down in the Sydney Cup, after the jockey thought he heard respiratory noises. His form prior was good in G1 company, and he gets a few gear changes here, including a tongue tie. The drop back to 2000m off a freshen poses no issue for him and the firmer ground should suit. Capable of running a cheeky race at odds.

3. Kukeracha (5) – $15
Jockey – James Orman 59kg
Trainer – Chris Waller

Ran on well in the Doncaster Prelude first up, before a good win in Listed grade here at Doomben second up. His run last start in the Hollindale was full of merit, where he chased hard behind Zaaki. Racing well, handles all conditions, and looks one of the main threats to the favourite.

4. Yonkers (1) – $34
Jockey – Hugh Bowman 59kg
Trainer – Chris Waller

Good win last start in the G3 Chairman’s Handicap here at Eagle Farm. Should get a nice trail from the inside gate and gets Bowman in the saddle. Not sure he can topple the favourite but can’t knock him off his last win.

5. Great House (9) – $34
Jockey – William Pike 59kg
Trainer – Chris Waller

Former Newcastle Cup winner who ran on well last start to finish second in the Gosford Cup. Will snag back from the wider gate, and although this looks a step up, he should be thereabouts come the business end. Place chance.

6. Huetor (2) – $12
Jockey – Kerrin McEvoy 59kg
Trainer – Peter & Paul Snowden

Former French galloper who has really found form since arriving in Australia. His two runs this prep have been good, the latest a solid fourth behind Zaaki in the Hollindale. He’s unbeaten at the trip, should appreciate the more spacious track, and looks as though he’ll be competitive here again.


7. Maximal (6) – $26
Jockey – Nash Rawiller 59kg
Trainer – John O’Shea

Former British entire who hasn’t had much go his way in three Australian starts. He comes into this off a 10 week let-up after a disappointing performance in the G1 Australian Cup. Has had the benefit of two solid barrier trials and clearly has a tonne of ability, but needs to lift on recent efforts to be considered a winning hope.

8. Esti Fenny (8) – $81
Jockey – Ryan Maloney 59kg
Trainer – Matthew Smith

Interesting runner who has been solid in four Australian runs since arriving from Hungary. Ran on well at Caulfield in the Easter Cup before making good ground in the Wagga Cup last start. Steps up to G1 WFA now and is having his first look at Eagle Farm. Can’t have him in the numbers but wouldn’t be surprised to see him beat a few home.

9. Polly Grey (7) – $9.00
Jockey – Tim Clark 57kg
Trainer – Chris Waller

Fourth of the Waller-trained runners in this race, who was very good in the Hollindale last start behind Zaaki. Her win prior to that was super where she blitzed her rivals in the G3 JRA Plate, and the runner up of that race, Numerian, has since won the Gosford Cup. Would’ve preferred her on a heavy track but like her stablemate Kukeracha, looks one of the main dangers to the favourite.

10. Coventina Bay (4) – $16
Jockey – Samantha Collett 57kg
Trainer – Robbie Patterson

Dual G1 winning Kiwi mare who was far from disgraced in the Hollindale Stakes last start. Her form across the ditch prior to that run was strong, and she’ll appreciate the step up to 2000m. Not sure she can beat Zaaki, but won’t be far away.


Final Word

To put it simply, this year’s Doomben Cup looks Zaaki’s race to lose. He demolished his rivals here 12 months ago, and although that kind of victory may not be on the cards, he certainly looks the one to beat coming off the back of a dominant Hollindale Stakes win.

The Chris Waller stable has a strong hand in the race, and both Kukeracha and Polly Grey look the main dangers to Zaaki following their last start efforts in the Hollindale. The switch to Eagle Farm is probably a negative for Polly Grey as she won’t get the heavy track in which she revels in, but nonetheless should race well.

Of the others, Kiwi mare Coventina Bay rarely runs a bad race and had strong NZ G1 form before her 5th placing in the Hollindale, and Huetor has run well at both runs back this prep and will appreciate getting back onto a dryer surface here. If the pace is on early Great House and The Chosen One can also run competitive races at good each way odds.

Doomben Cup TipLogo

1. Zaaki – Win ($1.40)

Get our horse racing tips delivered straight to you!

If you need more news, information and tips, head over to our Doomben Cup page for all your punting needs!

*Odds correct at time of writing, courtesy of Dabble.

Tom has had a passion for the racing industry from the time he could talk. Wether it was at school, on smoko or in his own spare time, he always had his head in the form guide.He has worked hands on in the industry for years for some of Australia’s most highly regarded trainers. As a track rider, he has put the polish on some of the best horse flesh to grace the turf in recent years including the grey flash, Chautauqua, Golden slipper winner, Mossfun and sprinter-turned-sire, Deep Field to name a few.Tom has recently hung up the boots to focus solely on his punting and tipping services. With the objective of finding plenty of winners and value in the marketplace, you’ll be sure to have a fat wallet following his feature race previews.