Another quality program in Brisbane on Saturday is headlined by the time-honoured Group 1 Doomben Cup.
At one point, it looked like the Doomben Cup field would be lacking in depth, but with leading three-year-old Kovalica accepting alongside the likes of Huetor, Atishu, Duais and Nonconformist, it’s not just the ‘Zaaki Show’ after all.
You can find my 2023 Doomben Cup Tips below.
Suggested Bets
- 4 Units straight out #1 Zaaki
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections below
Doomben Cup – Winner
He’s a really, really good horse, and I still think that Zaaki will leave Brisbane the 2023 Doomben Cup winner.
Having given his rivals windburn in this race two years ago, Zaaki has obviously continued to perform well in some of Australasia’s best races, adding a further Group 1 features to his CV and an All-Star Mile.
He steps out this week third-up and following an eye-catching second in the All Aged Stakes and win in the Hollindale Stakes, and this is his major target!
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Zaaki
Doomben Cup – 2nd
I actually thought that the biggest danger to Zaaki in this Doomben Cup field was Nonconformist, and he certainly looks the value in my opinion at $15 (at publish).
Nonconformist is unlucky not to have recorded a win at the highest level, but he has been a consistent performer in some outstanding races in recent seasons, and is a multiple placegetter at the highest level.
His first-up run and win in the Blamey Stakes in March is arguably the best of his career to date.
While he hasn’t managed to strike in two subsequent starts, I think he’ll step out this week a fit horse, and primed to strike over 2000m.
Suggested Bet: No. 7 Nonconformist
Doomben Cup – 3rd
I completely understand why Chris Waller elected to bypass last weekend’s Rough Habit Plate with Kovalica, and instead have a crack at the Doomben Cup.
Kovalica has hardly put a hoof wrong since making his debut, winning five of seven starts and improving noticeably with experience.
He returned with a decent effort to finish third in the South Pacific Classic during The Championships and arrived in Brisbane for an impressive win in the Queensland Guineas three weeks ago.
2000m is ideal, Jimmy Orman rides and he gets in light as a three-year-old.
Suggested Bet: No. 13 Kovalica
Doomben Cup – 4th
This is something of a speculative selection, but we all know how good Duais can be, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see her into the finish of the Doomben Cup.
She didn’t come up in the spring and ended her prep down the order in the Melbourne Cup, but Duais is a three-time Group 1 winner, and did claim her first up here in Brisbane in the 2021 Queensland Oaks.
She steps out this week fresh, and jockey Sam Clipperton has options from the rails draw.
Suggested Bet: No. 11 Duais