DOOMBEN CUP | FEATURE RACE PREVIEW
Track: Doomben | Distance: 2000m | Type: Group 1 WFA | Rail Position: +2m | Condition: Soft 7 | Prizemoney: $1,000,000
SPEED MAP
Stablemates NUMERIAN and ZAAKI look to roll to the top and control the tempo. Doesn’t look to be an “outlier” Waller leader to pester ZAAKI this week – like last start. PALMETTO and NONCONFORMIST should slide into suitable positions.
DOOMBEN CUP | KEY RUNNERS
1. Zaaki – What a champion. Looks to get the right run and clear horse to beat.
2. Numerian – Should roll forward and secure a nice run. Great top 3 chance.
3. Huetor – Last year’s winner. Map against here but a winning chance with the right run.
4. No Compromise – Looks the most likely of the Waller runners to settle forward, one for the exotic players.
5. Zeyrek – Nice enough on speed effort last time, maps nice again here and a top 5 hope.
6. Diamil – Hard to be enthusiastic about his chances here.
7. Nonconformist – Should roll up into a nice spot, top 3 wouldn’t shock.
8. Banker’s Choice – Map gives no favours here, not today.
9. Palmetto – Should get every hope from map, but not good enough.
11. Duais – Her best just about wins, but not sure she can produce her best here.
12. Atishu – Likely to be giving away too big of a start here. Top 3 hope.
13. Kovalica – My best guess is this will be a warm-up for the Queensland Derby. Settles last and runs on late.
SHANE CIURLEO’S TOP 4 SELECTIONS
1 – Zaaki
2 – Numerian
7 – Nonconformist
10 – Atishu
ZAAKI clearly the horse to beat, as market suggests. Keeping a very close eye on the parade of NUMERIAN. Won the Q22 here last Winter and comes through the right races to run super here. He has run well off a similar break / trial previously. Happy to trust the camp and expect he runs really well.
BETTING STRATEGY
** BACK: #2 Numerian (EACH-WAY) – Should get the right run and I like the Dubai Honour form to beat all but the stablemate Zaaki.
** LAY: #13 Kovalica (PLACE) – Fully expect this will be a Queensland Derby trial coming off a setback last week.