Another wet Saturday awaits at Doomben this weekend, with the Group 1 Doomben Cup headlining the meeting.
The $1 million feature has attracted only a small field, but it’s a competitive one with reigning Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours stepping out against the likes of Pride Of Jenni and Birdman.
The Roses and the BRC Sprint are the two other key races making up the bulk of the program, and you can find our thoughts on all nine contests in our 2026 Doomben Cup Day preview down below.
SEVEN’S (11) has a nice soft gate and some decent wet track form to his name ahead of this second-up assignment.
The Archibald-trained gelding ran on nicely to just miss out on a place on the Gold Coast first-up over 1400m, a decent effort given he was wide without cover for the majority.
His second-up form stands out and Tommy Berry piloting is a big plus.
| 11. Seven’s (6) J: Tommy Berry 58kg 147×4T: Annabel & Rob Archibald |
WITHOUT PARALLEL (13) appeals for Matthew Dunn.
The four-year-old daughter to Time Test almost never runs a poor race, resuming to finish just outside the placings here at Doomben first-up, before tackling the 1200m at Eagle Farm a couple of weeks ago where she was strong all the way to the line for third.
The shifty track played a big part that day, but as a noted wet tracker, she should find conditions to suit third-up with the inside alley offering her every chance.
| 13. Without Parallel (1) J: Jett Newman 52kg 50×43T: Matthew Dunn |
KATOTO (5) has been kept on ice for this Listed assignment.
We got a good feel for what Chris Waller’s filly is all about at Kembla Grange second-up last month when she overcame some late traffic to bolt in and claim her maiden.
This is tougher again up from midweek level, but with a soft Sydney trial between runs and the low gate offering her every opportunity to park behind the speed, she looks like a serious JJ Atkins prospect in the making.
| 5. Katoto (2) J: James McDonald 56.5kg 21T: Chris Waller |
ANGEL LADDER (10) has some good improvement still to come for Ciaron Maher and connections.
She went around in search of her hat-trick off a three-week break in the Mick Dittman Plate at Eagle Farm last month, leading for a long way before the candle burned out towards the end.
In saying that, she had a stack of ground to make up from the wide alley and was entitled to weaken in what was her first look at Stakes level.
Better for the experience now and likely to push forward again from a softer gate this time to lead, she’ll take running down when it matters most.
| 10. Angel Ladder (6) J: Tahlia Fenlon 54kg 23115T: Ciaron Maher |
ABOUT TO EXPLODE (12) looks a nice bet if they go hard early up front.
The son to Spirit Of Boom was unlucky not to claim another win over the 1200m trip at Eagle Farm last time out, finding a stalking position early in behind the speed and letting down with a serious turn of foot to finish a nose off Cloudland.
This smart five-year-old has done little wrong all prep and although his last go around here wasn’t great, he looks a huge chance dropping back slightly in trip.
| 12. About To Explode (6) J: Cejay Graham 53kg 62122T: Tony Gollan |
PINITO (2) has had a trial between runs following a disappointing effort in the Queen of the Turf earlier in April.
She was far from disgraced that day from a wide barrier but clearly outclassed in a lot of ways.
James McDonald takes the ride on Saturday, and she should be ready to run a big race over the mile with fresher legs. Maps to get right back from a good gate and save her best for the finish.
| 2. Pinito (2) J: James McDonald 57.5kg x4197T: Chris Waller |
CHISPA (11) is up in grade and trip, looking to build on a comfortable win on the Kensington track down south last week.
The decision to race on the quick backup signals some clear intent from the Waller stable, and there’s no question she’ll eat up the extra 200m after savaging the line.
The Oaks could be in her sights if she races well here, and from a soft gate, J-Mac will have her in a prime spot up on the speed I’d imagine.
| 11. Chispa (3) J: James McDonald 56.5kg 21341T: Chris Waller |
SHE’S A HUSTLER (7) doesn’t mind a bit of juice in the track from time to time.
She’s third-up now and ready to peak for Grahame Begg coming off a solidly run race in the Hollindale last time out on the Gold Coast, where she was forward early and strong all the way for third.
No knock on her over 2000m given she’s cashed a cheque in all three tries over this trip. Draws to get forward with ease from the low gate and her fitness should do a lot of the talking now.
| 7. She’s A Hustler (3) J: Jordan Childs 57kg 21×43T: Grahame Begg |
Automatic entry into the Stradbroke Handicap is up for grabs in the last, and it’s not a half bad race for BOOMTOWN BOSS (13), who gets the blinkers on second-up now for Tony Gollan.
I thought he ran on nicely to feature in the money in The Archer at Rocky fresh from a spell, over racing early but really knuckling down well once he shifted over to the fence down the straight.
The form out of that has been good since with Rothfire winning the Doomben 10,000 last week, and if he gets some early luck in running from a tricky gate, I think Tommy Berry will have plenty of horse to work with late.
| 13. Boomtown Boss (10) J: Tommy Berry 55.5kg 352×3T: Tony Gollan |