BTC Cup 2014 – Tips

A small but select field will line up for the first Group 1 race of the Brisbane Winter Carnival with a strong local representation taking part. Buffering and the “Boom Brothers” Spirit Of Boom and Temple Of Boom, will be out make it a Queensland victory for the first time since Albert The Fat, who was ridden by Damien Browne, saluted in 2010. This year Browne will be aboard one of Queensland’s and Australia’s favourite horses, Buffering who has opened up the favourite at $2.25. On the second line of betting sit Spirit Of Boom along with the Gerald Ryan trained pair Hot Snitzel and Snitzerland at $7.00.

 

 

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1. BUFFERING – D Browne (3)

Queensland’s local hero who returned from a successful Spring/Summer Campaign by running seventh in the G2 Challenge Stakes. As per usual, he led in the Challenge Stakes and although under pressure early in the straight, fought on tenaciously to finish only 1.7 lengths behind winner Villa Verde. He then chased home star sprinter Lankan Rupee on a heavy track when third in the G1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) four weeks ago. Returns to Queensland for the first time since running second (3/4 lengths) to Linton in the G1 Stradbroke Handicap, the last race in a campaign that also included him running third in this race last year to Your Song.
Will be up on the speed, has great stats this track/trip and sure to be in the finish.

 

2. SPIRIT OF BOOM – M Rodd (7)

Flashed home, on a track that favoured those on the pace to run a great second to full brother Temple Of Boom in last fortnight’s G2 Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm. It continued what has been a sensational campaign for this 6yo who ran second to Lankan Rupee in both the G1 Oakleigh Plate and G1 Newmarket Handicap before deservedly winning the G1 William Read at Moonee Valley. Last start’s placing made twelve consecutive races that he has finished in the top four – all at Group 1 or Group 2 level. He’ll enjoy the solid pace and a more genuine track here and be flashing home here.

Spirit of Boom is our top tip for Saturday's BTC Cup at Doomben racecourse
Spirit of Boom is our top tip for Saturday’s BTC Cup at Doomben racecourse

 

3. TEMPLE OF BOOM – T Harrison (1)

He recorded his first win in over two years when successful in last fortnight’s G2 Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm. The 7yo jumped well from a wide gate and uncharacteristically, took up a forward position outside of leader Snitzerland. He then surprised all by sticking on better than Snitzerland and finding the line in just enough time to beat fast-finishing sibling Spirit of Boom. Drawn the inside gate her and hard to see him being able to hold out those drawn on his outside, placing behind the leaders on the fence. He’ll need a bit of luck from there and, despite placing four times, is yet to win a race at Doomben in seven starts.

 

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4. TIGER TEES – G Colless (2)

Trainer Joe Pride has never had his 6yo by Dubawi going better. On a slow track and from a good draw, he was presented with the ideal run when victorious in the G1 The Galaxy (1100m) three starts back and had similar conditions for his next two starts, the G1 TJ Smith (1200m) and last fortnight’s G1 All Aged Stakes (1400m). He ran fourth (3.5 lengths) and third (2.5 lengths) behind Lankan Rupee and Hana’s Goal respectively. Just shaded at WFA the last two, as is this race, but from a favourable draw again, will be in the firing line again and unlike most in this race, will not be worried if the rain predicted to fall later in the week arrives.

 

5. HOT SNITZEL – N Rawiller (8)

Gave the winner a vital 2.5kgs when second first up to Flamberge in the G3 Sebring Stakes (1200m) two starts back before getting a lovely run in transit and running through the line strongly when successful in the G3 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m), defeating Knoydart by 1 ¼ lengths. The Hall Mark win was his fourth on a Slow track and the Sebring was on Heavy, so he’ll be another not fazed about the rain but what he may struggle with are the WFA conditions of the race.
This will be his first attempt under the scale and his previous five attempts at Group 1 level have netted one placing, a second in the QLD T J Smith Stakes as a 2yo.

 

6. FAMOUS SEAMUS – R Wiggins (4)

The 5yo produced an eye-catching run first up when third in the G2 Challenge Stakes to Villa Verde, suggesting that the Noel Mayfield-Smith trained galloper was set for a strong campaign. His three subsequent starts however have been a shade disappointing and he missed a place in the G1 The Galaxy and G1 T J Smith before, at his most recent start when rated a 9/2 chance, finishing fifth (2.9 lengths) in the G2 Victory Stakes. Should get the ideal run from gate four and track Tiger Tees and Buffering but just doesn’t seem to be going well enough at present.

 

7. SNITZERLAND – J Byrne (6)

She ran a gallant second in the G2 Challenge Stakes to Villa Verde after having won her maiden Group 1 race – The Lightning Stakes. Rain effected tracks than plagued her in Sydney for the remainder of the Sydney carnival with her only run being in the G1 TJ Smith where, on a heavy track, she finished a well beaten twelfth in the field of fifteen. She then arrived in Queensland in the search of better conditions and got them when lining up in the G2 Victory Stakes a fortnight ago on a good rated track. As expected, 11/8 favourite led but she couldn’t shake the persistent and unexpected challenge of Temple Of Boom and finished a long neck away in third. More rain predicted for the coming week in Brisbane is a concern, as is her record at 1200m. Her last six starts over the trip have seen her place once (last start). She’ll get a lovely cart in the race but will have to run the trip right out to be winning here.

 

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8. PERON – J McDonald (5)

The daughter Husson returned to the races for the first time in six months when contesting the G2 Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Randwick three weeks ago. Despite her lengthy absence and wide gate, the John Thompson trained mare started the 7/2 favourite for the fillies and mares race. She got back in the field in a race dominated by the leader and eventual winner Cosmic Endeavour and from that position, could only manage eighth place, 5.2 lengths from the winner. Will be fitter for that run but stepping up in both weight and class, would think she’ll be accounted for her.

 

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RACE OVERVIEW

Tiger Tees will try and hold Buffering out and between them, they’ll ensure a good pace. This should play right into the hands of Spirit Of Boom who is in sensational form and coming off a run that on a non-bias track would’ve seen him win and win well. They seem to be the three leading chances with some queries over Snitzerland seeing out a strong 1200m at WFA and form/class query over the remaining runners.

1. SPIRIT OF BOOM

2. BUFFERING

3. TIGER TEES

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