3 minute read
The 2024 Queensland Racing Carnival heats up this Saturday with the first of eight massive winter Group 1 races, the Ladbrokes Doomben 10,000, being run and won over 1200m.
The Doomben 10,000 has consistently been one of Queensland's highest rating races. It's easy to see why when the past winners list boasts such names as Falvelon, Spirit Of Boom, Takeover Target, Apache Cat and Redzel.
I Wish I Win provides a touch of class to this year's field with The Everest runner-up installed as a warm favourite.
2022 Doomben 10,000 winner Mazu returns for the third time after finishing third to Giga Kick last year.
We've provided our thoughts on every runner in the $1.5 million weight for age feature below! (Prices listed were current at time of publish)
1. I Wish I Win (1)
Price: $1.95
It would be a popular win if the five-year-old gelding was able to salute for Queensland's favourite son and Ladbrokes' own Peter Moody and his co-trainer Katherine Coleman.
The son of Savabeel brings superior form to the race and is a justifiable favourite.
Since coming to Australia from New Zealand in 2022, he has only been outside the top three once in 10 feature race starts and the unplaced run was a 1.35 length fifth in the 2022 Group 1 Toorak Handicap.
His barnstorming Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes win last year was highlight reel material as he ran down Giga Kick in trying conditions.
He went within a neck of winning The Everest and arguably should have won given he was held up in the straight.
The gelding is six weeks between runs following a first-up third in this year's TJ Smith Stakes and that will have topped him off nicely for the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival.
Much was made of him drawing barrier 1 in The Everest and it not suiting his racing style and that is again an issue here with him starting from the pole.
However, he gets the best jockey in the business, James McDonald who proved he was a class above last weekend.
2. Private Eye (6)
Price: $5.50
The Joe Pride-trained son of Al Maher was disappointing in his two runs following an impressive effort first-up where he pushed Imperatriz in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes.
He got too far back second-up in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes before running on well to finish 1.55 lengths sixth and it was a similar scenario last start in The Galaxy when finishing 5.14 lengths behind Zapateo.
However, I think those results were more to do with the races being too short for him as opposed to a lack of ability and form.
That was proven last start when he stepped up to 1400m in the All Aged Stakes and after leading on the heavy track, boxed on well to finish third.
He's been freshened since that run so the drop back to 1200m suits.
Blake Shinn is a key booking and adds a length to the Proven Thoroughbred-owned gelding's already solid chances.
3. Mazu (8)
Price: $15.00
The connections of the 2022 Doomben 10,000 winner will be doing a rain dance as this guy does his best work on heavy tracks.
That was proven last start in the Group 3 Hall Mark Stakes when he charged home on the Heavy 9 track to win for the first time since winning the forementioned Doomben 10,000 two years go.
Given the Team Snowden-trained son of Maurice hadn't won so for long and his form was mixed, it's hard to see him going back-to-back unless the track is rain-affected.
4. Body Bob (7)
Price: $151.00
Trainer Pat Murphy is having a massive throw at the stumps with his four-year-old gelding.
The son of Written Tycoon is horrendously weighted against his more accomplished opposition and I simply can't see him being competitive.
5. Bella Nipotina (3)
Price: $9.00
The Ciaron Maher-trained mare arrives in Queensland following a brave effort in The Quokka where she worked home strongly despite a wide run to finish 1.4 lengths fourth.
Two starts back she fought gamely to finish second by a neck in the TJ Smith Stakes. Again, she had genuine excuses with a wide gate and needing to be replated before the race.
The daughter of Pride Of Dubai is more than capable of winning this race given she beat Private Eye and Mazu in the Giga Kick Stakes which was her last win.
She's drawn to get a sweet run for Craig Williams who rode last year's winner Giga Kick.
6. Chain Of Lightning (5)
Price: $9.50
The Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained five-year-old mare will appreciate being a month between runs after trying hard when sixth in the All Aged Stakes.
Prior to that, the daughter of Fighting Son was loving the Sydney way of going, claiming the Group 3 Birthday Card Stakes and the TJ Smith Stakes.
Her maiden Group 1 win was full of merit and notably was over this distance.
Jamie Kah can add two lengths to a horse and she is an excellent booking for this mare given the stellar form she's been riding in and that advantage could be just what she needs to feature in the finish.
7. Espiona (9)
Price: $7.00
The Chris Waller-trained mare didn't handle the heavy conditions last start in the All Aged Stakes and was well beaten.
She'll get more favourable conditions here and can bounce back.
Three starts back she savaged the line from the back to finish third by 1.4 lengths in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes proving that she is much better on top of the ground.
The outside barrier is not ideal, but she will get back anyway and does get the services of Nash Rawiller who piloted her to victory in the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes.
If she's in striking distance entering the straight, she can challenge for the win.
8. Wee Nessy (2)
Price: $26.00
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained mare finished close thirds in the Group 3 Weona Girl Quality and the Group 3 Birthday Card Stakes to kick her preparation off before an impressive display two starts ago.
She chased strongly to charge past her rivals and win the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes by 1.3 lengths.
The daughter of Snitzel arrived in Queensland in brilliant form and did extremely well to finish second by a length to the talented Antino in the Group 2 Victory Stakes last start.
She maps to get a beautiful run on speed for Adam Hyeronimus and with race fitness on her side looks the horse capable of providing a knockout blow.
9. Stefi Magnetica (4)
Price: $35.00
The Bjorn Baker-trained filly is the only three-year-old in the field.
She has been freshened since giving a massive sight in the Group 1 Surround Stakes where she raced on speed and was overpowered on the line by Tropical Squall to finish a nose second.
While she's run well against her own age, her best win has been in a Benchmark 58 Handicap so she looks up against it here.
The JudgementI'm happy to back I Wish I Win who in my opinion brings superior form to this year's Ladbrokes Doomben 10,000.
Every race he has competed in since arriving in Australia has been at Group level and he has been highly competitive in all them.
While the inside barrier isn't ideal for him, there's only eight other horses and the best in the business 'J Mac' is in the saddle.
He looks extremely hard to hold out and the price on offer looks fair.
Selections:
1st – I Wish I Win
2nd – Bella Nipotina
3rd – Wee Nessy
4th – Private Eye
