The Doomben Cup is a Group 1 horse race held each year in Brisbane at Doomben Racecourse. Run over 2000 metres and worth $500,000 in prize money, this event is an important part of the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival. The Doomben Cup has been run since 1933, originally as a Principal Race and then under Group 1 conditions.
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The Doomben Cup was originally known as the BATC Doomben Cup, changing to the XXXX Cup in 1983, the Channel Nine Cup in 1988, the XXXX Cup again in 1989, and finally the Doomben Cup in 1992. It was a Principal Race until 1980, when it was elevated directly to Group 1 status. Pentheus won the inaugural Doomben Cup in 1933, running 10 furlongs in 2.05.7.
A number of notable horses have won this race over its long history, including Earlwood in 1959-60, Bernborough in 1946, Bore Head in 1967, Rough Habit in 1991-93, and Might And Power in 1998. In the last few years, winners of this event include Sarrera in 2008, Scenic Shot in 2009 and 2011, Metal Bender in 2010, Mawingo in 2012, and Beaten Up in 2013.
Two jockeys have managed to win the Doomben Cup on three separate occasions, Maurice McCarten in 1933, 1934, and 1940; and Jim Cassidy who won on Rough Habit between 1991–1993. Two trainers have also won this event three times, T J Smith in 1973, 1976, and 1978; and John Wheeler with Rough Habit between 1991-1993.
The Group 2 Hollindale Stakes at the Gold Coast is generally agreed to be the best lead up race for the Doomben Cup, with a number of horses taking out this double over the years, including Metal Bender in 2010, Above Deck in 2006, Mr Bureaucrat in 2002, Might And Power in 1998, Danewin in 1995, Durbridge in 1994, and Rough Habit in 1991-92.
Doomben Cup 2014 odds comparison
News:
Newcastle trainer Kris Lees is confident his long-range predictions of winter carnival success for new stable additions Hera and Slow Pace are on track.
Slow Pace will tackle the Group One Doomben Cup (2000m) on Saturday while Hera is among the favourites for the Group Two The Roses over the same trip.
Lees has said for months that punters would see the best of both horses in the winter.
French import Slow Pace has been ticking over nicely since he made his Australian debut with a third in the Newcastle Newmarket in March.
The six-year-old subsequently struggled to handle a very heavy Randwick track in the Doncaster Mile and was an unlucky third to Spillway in the JRA Plate.
“He didn’t have much luck (in the JRA Plate) and it was probably the run of the race. It should have topped him off nicely for Saturday,” Lees said.
“I think he compares favourably with other good stayers I have had at this stage of their careers.”
Lees hopes to have Slow Pace ridden midfield with cover and given the speed appears to be drawn outside him, the race could pan out favourably.
“I think we might have ridden him a bit close last time,” Lees said.
Hera, who was bought by Australian Bloodstock after she showed promise in New Zealand, was having her first start for Lees when fourth in the James H B Carr Stakes at Randwick in April.
“We bought Hera as a staying filly with the Queensland Oaks in mind and she has very strong New Zealand form,” Lees said.
“She has form around Rising Romance (who has) already won a Group One in Australia.”
Hera won twice as a two-year-old and finished second to Australian Oaks winner Rising Romance in a New Zealand stakes race in November.
She then turned the tables on Rising Romance in the Group Two Eight Carat Classic in December and at her last New Zealand start she claimed the Sir Tristram Fillies Classic at Te Rapa on February 8.
The O’Reilly filly has had a barrier trial at Cessnock since her debut for Lees.
Jim Cassidy will ride the Lees-trained pair at Doomben.