2021 Doomben Cup Race Details

Race 7 at Doomben on Saturday 22 May 2021.

The Doomben Cup is a 2000 metre race for three-year-olds and over run under weight-for-age conditions by the Brisbane Racing Club at Doomben. It is held during May and is part of the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival.

You can read more about the race history, lead-up races and past winners on the Doomben Cup page.

Doomben Cup 2021 Preview

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

Twelve runners have accepted for the $700,000 Doomben Cup. Eight of them had their last start in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes on 8 May, two in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes on 17 April, one in the Group 1 Sydney Cup on 17 April and one in The Coast on 8 May. There are seven geldings, three mares and two entires ranging in age from four to eight-year-olds. Chris Waller has three runners while Maher & Eustace have two. The early favourite is Hollindale Stakes winner  Zaaki who has improved at each of his three starts in Australia. Second favourite is All Star Mile winner Mugatoo. Third favourite is Sir Dragonet who won the Group 1 Tancred Stakes before 5th in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Fifty Stars finished 2nd in the Hollindale and has good form on rain-affected going.  Avilius came from well back in the field for 4th in the Hollindale following 5th in the Doncaster Mile. Shared Ambition was 3rd in the Hollindale following a good win in the G3 Neville Sellwood over this distance. Melody Belle has won 14 Group 1 races which is more than the rest of the field put together, while Toffee Tongue faded for 6th in the Hollindale. The other three runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

2021 Doomben Cup Runner by Runner

1. Sir Dragonet

This five-year-old stallion is one of two runners for Ciaron Haher and David Eustace. He won the 2020 Cox Plate at his first Australian start then ran 6th in the Melbourne Cup. He has had 5 starts since resuming and won the G1 Tancred Stakes over 2400m at this 4th start this campaign then kept chasing for 1.6 lengths 5th in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. He will run well.

2. Mugatoo

A versatile galloper who has won over distances from 1500m to 2900m. Three starts back he won the All-Star Mile over 1600m then was 1.5 lengths 4th in the G1 Doncaster Mile, then 1.8 lengths 6th in the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes. He has one place from five Group 1 starts, but should not be overlooked.

3. Fifty Stars

This six-year-old has won 10 of his 33 starts, but can be difficult to follow. He finished 2.25 lengths 2nd in the Hollindale Stakes and it would be no surprise to see him place here.

4. Avilius

He has won 11 races including 3 at Group 1 level. He ran on from well back for 4th in the Hollindale Stakes and goes well at this distance. Right in this.

5. Zaaki

This six-year-old has had three starts in Australia. He finished 3.4 lengths 6th in the Doncaster Mile, then was run down late for a close 2nd in the G3 JRA Plate before taking over at the 200m and racing away for a 2.25 length win in the Hollindale Stakes.  Rates highly with James McDonald staying with him. Shpould be in the finish and probably wins.

6. Humidor

At eight, Humidor is the oldest runner. He finished strongly to run 4.65 lengths 5th in the Hollindale last start when first-up and has won 4 of 10 second-up. He goes well at this distance and can surprise.

7. Shared Ambition

This five-year-old trained By Chris Waller has won 8 of his 21 starts and has a good winning percentage strike rate. He was a strong winner of the G3 Neville Selwood over this distance before 3rd in the Hollindale. One of the chances.

8. Southern France

His last win was in 2019 and he has been racing in Group 1’s but not beating many home. Like him better over longer distances.

9. Brandenburg

Last start winner of The Coast at Gosford last outing. He is untested at the distance but is not the worst.

10. Melody Belle

This tough New Zealand mare has won 19 of her 40 starts, with 14 of those wins at Group level. She won the G1 Bonecrusher over 2000m in March before coming to Australia for 6th in the Tancred Stakes then only 10th in the Hollindale after being caught wide most of the way and losing a plate. Can feature in the finish.

11. Nettoyer

A pizza eating mare who has two Group 1 wins from 15 attempts – both over the Randwick mile. Hard to follow but best over 1600m.

12. Toffee Tongue

This four-year-old has only won twice from 19 starts, but both wins were at this distance – the 2020 G1 Schweppes Oaks and the G3 Sky High Stakes. Rough hope.

Doomben Cup 2021 Tips

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips
5 Zaaki
10 Melody Belle
7 Shared Ambition
6 Humidor

Previews for other races this week

Listed The Straight Six 2021 (Flemington 1200m)

2021 Doomben Cup Results

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings: 3. Fifty Stars (IRL), 8. Southern France (IRL).

Result Horse Margin
1st 5    Zaaki
2nd 12  Toffee Tongue 7 lengths
3rd 9    Brandenburg 9.3 lengths
4th 11   Nettoyer 9.6 lengths