2025 Doomben Cup Day Tips & Preview

Gumdrops will kick off for the new stable. Now under the care of Chris Waller, the Written Tycoon mare races well fresh and she’s not lacking in terms of class.

She recorded her first Stakes win when taking out the Listed Crockett Stakes just her third race start and following a break, she returned in top order to take out the Group 3 Typhoon Tracey Stakes at her second-up appearance.

Luckless when resuming last campaign, she then pulled up with EIPH at her following outing.

She comes here off two pleasing trials and if she can find cover off the wide draw, I think she’ll be finishing off strongly.

The Inflictor has been placed in both runs back this preparation and looks ready to peak third up.

Prepared by local trainer Craig Cousins, the gelding has put together a tidy record and staked his claim as a genuine Brisbane Carnival contender when saluting in The Gateway late last year.

He was unlucky not to have won when resuming over 1000m at Eagle Farm, searching for runs in the early part of the straight, he charged through late to grab second, beaten only a head.

He was solid to the line last time in the Listed ATC Trophy at the Gold Coast and looks beautifully placed here up to 1350m.

He’s unbeaten in two starts over this course and distance and with Nash Rawiller to steer off the inside draw, I think he’s the one to beat in the second on the Doomben Cup Day card.

Sunrays comes off a very pleasing first-up effort to finish second in the Group 3 Ken Russell behind runaway winner Beadman, and she’s sure to appreciate getting back on a better surface.

The Hellbent filly took all before her in her first preparation, making it three wins from as many starts and her victory in the Jewel Prelude was ultra impressive as she had to do it tough from the wide gate.

She was strong to the line last time over the 1200m, and with that run under her belt, I think she’s well suited to the rise to 1350m.

Tommy Berry stays in the saddle for Kelly Schweida and she draws nicely in barrier six.

Spacewalk comes off an eye-catching performance in the Takeover Target Stakes and looks nearing a win.

With three starts across three states this campaign, the Godolphin gelding has finished off strongly on each occasion, and it was a terrific effort last time to finish as close as he did around Gosford after finding himself at the tail.

It’s been a while between drinks for the son of Exosphere, but he’s never far away, and he looks ideally placed here with James McDonald to do the steering for James Cummings.

Mayfair returns to the races and the son of Fastnet Rock has been gelded since we last saw him on raceday.

From eight starts, he‘s just won the one race but was placed in three runs during the Spring, finishing the runner up behind Lady Shenandoah in the Ming Dynasty before a solid effort to hold third behind Broadsiding in the Group 1 Golden Rose.

He failed to two starts earlier this year but given time, he looks to have come back in good order with two solid trials.

He gets in exceptionally well here at the weights and with even luck from the tricky draw, I think he can bounce back to his best.

Roots just struggled to let down late when resuming in heavy conditions at Hawkesbury, but she wasn’t knocked about and strips fitter for the run.

A very capable mare on her day, the daughter of Press Statement can prove elusive, but she does hold a solid second-up record and she’s a four-time winner on soft tracks.

The rise to the mile suits, she draws to get the right run, and Tommy Berry has enjoyed success aboard her previously.

Benagil comes off a decisive victory in the Australasian Oaks, and despite the wide draw, I think she’s the one to beat in this year’s Doomben Roses.

Not a lot went right for the Glen Thompson-trained filly last campaign, but she’s been terrific this time in, proving too good in the VOBIS Guineas at Caulfield before a gutsy effort to finish second in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes behind star filly, Treasurethe Moment.

Off a wide draw last start, she settled well back and produced a brilliant turn of foot to storm past them and score by over a length.

She’s a quality filly and with a touch of luck, she’ll be charging home late.

Antino comes off a phenomenal win in the Hollindale Stakes and as he steps out to 2000m for the first time, I’m keen to stick with him.

Sitting wide and keeping out of the kickback over the 1800m journey, he was set alight before the 600m mark and powered away to post a 3.5 length margin on the line.

Whist he may have been flattered given several other runners failed to handle the conditions, it was still a brilliant win against a quality field, and I think the son of Redwood will relish getting out over further.

Tony Gollan has long held a high opinion of his galloper and that was franked in the Spring when he delivered an almighty performance to record his first Group One success in the Toorak Handicap.

He was lucky to stay on his feet after copping severe inference in the Hong Kong Mile, but he’s returned in top order and with Shinn aboard, I think he’ll be winning.

I was with Coleman when he resumed in the Victory Stakes and whilst he failed to figure in the finish, I’m happy to stay with him in the BRC Sprint.

Stepping out for the first time under new trainer Chris Waller, the son of Pierata was allowed to drift a long way back in the run and brought to the outside at the top of the straight, he just had too much ground to make up.

It was a game effort given he was first up off a decent break and he’s sure to have taken improvement from it.

He’s only stepped out past 1200m on two occasion and was placed in the Group 1 Sires’ Produce over 1400m, so I think he’ll be well suited with the rise in trip.

James McDonald will take the reins and gate four should see him afforded all the favours.