3 minute read
Historical Analysis of the Doomben Cup
Some fantastic horses have won the Doomben Cup. If the great Might and Power, Juggler, Danewin, Durbridge and Defier weren’t enough, Rough Habit soared to legendary status in Brisbane with three straight Doomben Cups in and around two Stradbrokes as well. The race has toggled its distances but looks to be home now at a mile and a quarter.
PROFILING THE RACE
o From 2002 to 2006 the race was run at 2200m but with the Brisbane Cup downgrade in distance and status, the Doomben Cup has come back in distance as well.
o Cinque Cento was the first mare to win in donkey’s ages.o Mostly favoured runners have won this which is not surprising at WFA.
o Recent winners have predominantly been first time G1 winners.o Victorian jockeys have prevailed recently.
o Last 10 Winners Most Prevalent Age of winner - 4/5yos (3 times)o Last 10 Years Winningest Barrier Range <5-8> - 4 times
o Last 10 Winners Average Price of winner - $7.50o Breakdown of winners - 8 geldings, 1 entire & 1 mare
o Races that the winner ran in prior - Hollindale Stks (6), Queen Elizabeth Stks (1), Queen Of The South Stks (1), Prime Minister’s Cup (1), Rowley Mile (1)RECENT WINNERS
2013 - BEATEN UP 5g (Beat Hollow x Frog) ($9)
Jockey: Leith Innes, Trainer: Chris WallerBarrier: 1, Weight: 59.0kg, Gross Time: 2:04.34
Margin: 0.8L, Track: Dead, Starters: 132nd: Foreteller (59.0kg), 3rd: Secret Admirer (57.0kg)
Review: This was becoming a procession regarding Chris Waller and his imports. He’d already won the QE with Reliable Man and the Ranvet with Foreteller so why not add another 2000m WFA race to the list. Before he came to Australia this horse had some very decent form around horses like Cirrus Des Aigles and ran short in a Coronation Cup so once he got up in trip, he was always likely to show his best. The pace was solid but then at the 600m Brad Rawiller on Manighar got itchy fingers. He took off and got a few off the bit. Beaten Up had done no work from the draw and kiwi jockey Leith Innes found a passage on the bend. He chased hard after the grey then staved off the G1 chasers to score his most important win.
2012 - MAWINGO 4h (Tertullian x Montfleur) ($8)
Jockey: Nash Rawiller, Trainer: Anthony FreedmanBarrier: 5, Weight: 59.0kg, Gross Time: 2:02.03
Margin: 0.2L, Track: Good, Starters: 122nd: Lights Of Heaven (57.0kg), 3rd: Manighar (59.0kg)
Review: As it turned out this was a pretty high quality renewal. But it was also a controversial one as the winner was protested against by the third placegetter. Moody had both second and third and he had reason enough but it was for grounds before the winning post the first time. Nash had him midfield and ready to pounce but it was important that rivals were kept firmly inside and so made his move before the bend. It got as close as a head on the line but was more interesting in the Steward’s Room. Probably not a surprise it was dismissed.
Barrier: 2, Weight: 59.0kg, Gross Time: 2:03.70
Margin: 0.2L, Track: Good, Starters: 92nd: My Kingdom Of Fife (59.0kg), 3rd: Glass Harmonium (59.0kg)
Review: This was an emotional win for all concerned. Firstly it was for the trainer who had gotten this old horse back to a good level again after winning this very race two years earlier as part of an unheard of treble Doomben Cup/O’Shea/Brisbane Cup. But also for Shane Scriven who had had some unwanted dramas with a whip incident at Ipswich. With a big penalty hanging over his head, he managed to ride this fella with great patience and skill. Against a few imports now trained here who would fill the placings, he waited until as late as he could. Glass Harmonium got fired up and ran many lengths clear. Bowman may have made a mistake in coming back to them and not rolling along. Scriven went to the fence instead of pulling wide and he took the necessary gaps.
