Racing Preview – Sat 23 May

Doomben 10,000 – Doomben
Saturdays feature race is the Group 1 $650,000 Doomben 10,000 over 1350 metres which is the biggest weight-for-age race in Queensland. There are 17 runners with Absolut Glam being the only mare in the field.

The early betting has Apache Cat as $3.50 favourite. Next are Bank Robber and Danleigh both at $6.50, Absolut Glam and Black Piranha both at $9, Court Command at $14 then Light Fantastic and All Silent both at $16.

Apache Cat excels at this distance with 5 wins and a place from 7 starts at 1350m. There has been a lot of rain and he has wins in both slow and heavy going. Bank Robber has 3 wins from 3 starts at the distance, and can also handle rain-affected going. Light Fantastic is a quality horse who has won over $1 million from his 12 starts and is at a great each-way price.

Jo’s tips: 1. Apache Cat, 2. Bank Robber, 3. Light Fantastic

Rough Habit Plate – Doomben
The Group 3 $125,000 Mullins Lawyers Rough Habit Plate for three-year-olds over 2020 metres has attracted a full field of 16 plus 4 emergencies. The early favourite in the set weights race is Orca at $4.40 ahead of Larry’s Never Late at $5, Izonit at $6, Astro Gains at $6.50, then Old Jock and Za Magic both at $8, and the rest of the field is at double figures in the early market.

Larry’s Never Late looks like a genuine stayer who can handle the distance plus the rain affected going. Orca has only won one of his 16 starts, but has ran on strongly at the end of his last 2 starts. Izonit looks like a stayer in the making.

Jo’s tips: 1. Larry’s Never Late, 2. Orca, 3. Izonit

Premier’s Cup – Doomben
The Group 3 $125,000 Coca-Cola Amatil Premier’s Cup Handicap over 2200 metres has a field of 15. The early market is very open with Reggie and Rabbuka equal favourites at $5. Next is Absent Friends at $6.50, Macknuckle at $7.50, Queen of Queens and Cape Breton both at $8.50, Imvula at $11 and Riva San and Emperator both at $12.

Rabbuka has ran 2 good seconds at his last 2 starts running on well at the end and could be ready to win here. Cape Breton finished well in the Wagga Cup and is looking for this distance. Absent Friends hasn’t won beyond 1600m but should be able to run a place here.

Jo’s tips: 1. Rabbuka, 2. Cape Breton, 3. Absent Friends