The field taken for Saturday’s Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) in Brisbane is truly outstanding and we are set for an exciting race from a betting and spectators’ perspective.
Champion sprinter Redzel broke through for his maiden Group 1 win in this race last year and following this morning’s barrier draw, he is the $2.55 favourite in the market at Neds.
Redzel resumed last spring in career best form and comfortably won both the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) and Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) before beating the country’s best in the inaugural running of the $10 million The Everest (1200m).
Having ended his year with another smart win in the Group 1 Darley Classic (1200m), the Snitzel gelding was pipped on the line by Redkirk Warrior in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) first-up this time, but returned to winning form with a dominant performance in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m).
He was run down late in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) by Trapeze Artist most-recently, but has trialled well in the lead-up to this race and will give them something to chase.
Interestingly, only one other horse is currently available at Doomben 10,000 odds of less-than $10 and In Her Time ($4.50) is primed for a big third-up run.
The daughter of Time Thief was a standout for Newcastle horseman Ben Smith in 2017 and finished second in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1350m) and third in the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1350m) during the Brisbane Winter Carnival.
Having continued to impress through spring, the mare realised her Group 1 potential by winning The Galaxy (1100m) first-up this time and backed-up that performance by finishing third in the TJ last time out.
She has dominated a Newcastle trial since that run and will be extremely difficult to beat in the Doomben 10,000.
Godolphin runner Impending will carry winning form into this race and looks-to-be over the odds at his current $14 quote.
Winner of the Stradbroke Handicap last year, the Lonhro entire has been kept to light duties since and resumed this time for an impressive win over quality company in the Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) a fortnight ago; the traditional lead-up to this race.
He has a class edge over much of this Doomben 10,000 field and he is worth consideration at genuine each-way odds.
Le Romain ($15), English ($21) and Care To Think ($21) are all worth consideration at long odds, while Spieth ($26) is certainly one to watch leading further into the Brisbane winter.
The Thorn Park entire was unlucky not to post a maiden Group 1 win while under the care of Bryce Heys and he has been transferred to the care of the Lindsay Park team ahead of this campaign.