Palmerbet is saddling up for a wonderful day of Group 1 racing in not so sunny Queensland. Our sprinters line up in the day’s feature – the $700K Doomben 10,000. Here’s their runner by runner preview!
Doomben Race 8 – $700K Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (WFA) 1200m
1. REDZEL (6) 1x1111x212
T: Team Snowden / J: Kerrin McEvoy
Beaten into 2nd spot twice from 3 races this time up. Previous form was so good he won everything and earned title of world’s best sprinter. On top of all that he won this race last year and is better today than then. Was run down by the star Trapeze Artist last time and he isn’t in this race, so this bloke looks ready to go bang.
2. IMPENDING (9) 43341x23x1
T: James Cummings / J: Damian Browne
How good is this horse, well we’ll know a lot more after this. He’s one of the best bred horses in training, and is a stallion, so he’s already worth about $20 million following his Gr 1 Stradbroke Handicap win this time last year. Was devastating first up last start. Tougher race here but is a potential superstar.
3. LE ROMAIN (13) 02x250x742
T: Kris Lees / J: Glyn Schofield
Crowd favourite and quite possibly a real threat here. He loves it wet and rain fell heavily during the week. At best track will be soft so he rates highly. Has won twice at Gr 1 level and placed at Gr 1 level last start. The only real issue is trip – it’s a tad short but wet track brings him into it.
4. CARE TO THINK (12) 2211x1112x
T: Matty Dunn / J: Jeff Lloyd
Ran a super race first up in strong Gr 3 company when 2nd to Crack Me Up over 1300m. Again trip is biggest issue. Might be a little too short. Up to Gr 1 grade here is a worry but he is very brave and is a real trier. Will be battling away.
5. MOST IMPORTANT (5) 0x641241x2
T: Tony Gollan / J: Jim Byrne
Might be a length inferior to the better gallopers here but is a local hero and tries hard. Did run Gr 1 winner Impending to within half a length at level weights when resuming last start so may well be up to this level. Being honest is a big help.
6. SPIETH (10) x290x2860x
T: Team Hayes & Dabernig / J: Craig Williams
Very capable and on his day is a player. Has always had a boom on him but last campaign he was very plain. Has since been transferred to Team Hayes and Dabernig yard and is going great, winning a recent barrier trial with head on chest. At his best he is a player – is he there with new trainer? Time will tell.
7. MONSIEUR GUSTAVE (4) 411x1170x4
T: Darryl Hansen / J: Tiff Brooker
Local star with ability but also a crack in his armour. He needs to lead to have any hope and he may not see the front here.
8. BURNING PASSION (7) 115330×371
T: Mark Newnham / J: Michael Cahill
He’s a tough, reliable Sydney sprinter who does come home hard but this is a bridge too far. Will get back and run on – may sneak a place as he loves the mud.
9. THRONUM (3) 06x13x1402
T: Team Hayes & Dabernig / J: Mark Zahra
Very fast and has a tremendous record on wet tracks too. Is resuming here but is unbeaten first up and is a Gr 1 placegetter this trip at his most recent run. Has a knock out hope.
10. LUCKY HUSSLER (1) 5x6001056x
T: Darren Weir / J: Ben Allen
This is too short, the grade is too hard and he is too old to be beating these. Plus…he hates it wet.
11. THE MISSION (11) 70600×8555
T: Paul Perry / J: James Orman
He has his foot on the till and looms as a big player in the upcoming Gr 1 Stradbroke Handicap. Does love it wet and he could swim his way into the placings here, but it is a little too short for him.
12. IN HER TIME (8) 523x112x13
T: Ben Smith / J: Corey Brown
One of the best sprinting mares we’ve seen and she looked magnificent trouncing English first up to win Gr 1 Galaxy. Then was horribly held up when very unlucky 3rd to Trapeze Artist and Redzel last start. Since bolted in over 1000m barrier trial. Star mare who, if she handles the wet, is going to be in this finish.
13. ENGLISH (2) 6x4269x526
T: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott / J: Tim Clark
Grand mare winner of over $3million in prizemoney and is holding form. Is a multiple sprint Gr 1 winner and after good 2nd to In Her Time at Gr 1 level, she ran on well for useful 6th behind Trapeze Artist. Place show.
14. HOUTZEN (14) 5x3179x316
T: Toby Edmonds / J: Regan Bayliss
Tough draw but she’s used to that. No doubt will have to ping the lids and try to carve across. She has the pace to do that and if left alone in front could take catching. But the pace is strong inside her and she may be pratted early which would kill off her chances.
