Racing Preview – Sat 16 May

Doomben Cup – Doomben
Saturdays feature race is the Group 1 Doomben Cup over 2020 metres. The $500,000 XXXX Gold Doomben Cup is a weight-for-age race and has a full field of 16 plus 5 emergencies.

The early betting is very open with Racing To Win as $5.50 favourite. Next is Triple Honour at $6.50, Miss Darcey, Izonit and Douro Valley all at $7.50, Scenic Shot at $8.50 and then Veloce Bella, Prima Nova and Pravana (who is second emergency) all at $12.

Fulmonti ($14) looked good winning the Hollindale last start and has won before at this track and distance. Triple Honour was a late nomination for this race after he finished 1.3 lengths behind Pompeii Ruler at his last start after being blocked for a run. Sir Slick has ran a place at 4 of his 5 most recent starts.

Jo’s tips: 1. Fulmonti, 2. Triple Honour, 3. Sir Slick

Champagne Classic – Doomben
The Group 2 $150,000 Darley Champagne Classic over 1200 metres has attracted a field of 16 two-year-olds. The early favourite in the set weights race is Trim at $2.90 ahead of Facile Tigre at $3.80, Trounce at $5.50, Movie and Modonna both at $7.50 and Funtantes at $9.50.

Facile Tigre has won both of his 2 starts and can win again. Trim has also only had 2 starts and won her first start then ran on strongly to finish second behind Facile Tigre at her second start. Funtantes has won 3 of her 5 starts and been placed at the other 2, while Fantastic Blue ($23) has improved at each of his three starts.

Jo’s tips: 1. Facile Tigre, 2. Trim, 3. Funtantes

Andrew Ramsden Stakes – Flemington
The Listed $200,000 Andrew Ramsden Stakes over 3200 metres has a full field of 20 plus 3 emergencies. The early market has Hissing Sid as $2.60 favourite. Next in the market are Ladies In Luck at $7, Grand Destiny at $9, Grizz at $11, Elmore and Vindicating both at $12 and Phaze Action at $13.

Hissing Sid is the topweight with 59kg, which is 5kg more than all but 2 of the rest of the field will carry. He is proving himself to be a quality stayer, but appears to have been heavily penalised for his last 2 wins. Ladies In Luck is one of 3 tough mares in the race and won her last start over 2800 metres well. She drops in weight too. Desert Master ($15) has won a 2 mile race before, while Sir Pentire ($71) is worth a small each-way bet as the distance won’t worry the nine-year-old at all.

Jo’s tips: 1. Ladies In Luck, 2. Hissing Sid, 3. Desert Master

Don’t forget the Singapore races on Sunday. Takeover Target is equal favourite ($2.30) in the Krisflyer International Sprint, and Pompeii Ruler is $7.50 and Sarrera is $11 in the Singapore Airlines International Cup.