Black Piranha (pictured heading off to the barrier) won last year's Stradbroke, but I think this year's winner races tomorrow in the BTC Cup. If I'm right, that's limited 147 nominations down to about 10 Stradbroke chances.

The BTC Cup will be run as Race 7 at Doomben tomorrow at 3.50pm local time - and a field of 12 have accepted.

The BTC Cup was first run in 1964 when Rashlore beat Ripa and Cele’s Image. Since that inaugural running of the race, many top class gallopers have won the race including Eye Liner, Charlton Boy, Triton, Tontonan, Strawberry Road, Mr Illusion, Seawinne, Chief De Beers, Falvelon (twice) and Apache Cat.

The BTC Cup was upgraded from Group 2 to Group 1 status in 2007 when Bentley Biscuit beat Takeover Target and Mitanni.

Yesterday on this website I previewed all 100-odd nominations for the Stradbroke and after doing that, I’m convinced that the winner of this year’s Stradbroke is racing in the BTC Cup tomorrow, although I consider betting on tomorrow’s BTC Cup to be a real trap race, as it features quite a few horses that are either second up and/or have had bigger than normal gaps between races.

Queensland Racing Chief Handicapper Lester Grimmett has sent the scaled weights through for Doomben tomorrow and they are: Race 1 -0.50 kilo, Race 3 = MO + 1.5 kilos (MO = metropolitan Open company).

Brad Tamer from Unitab advises there is only one big jackpot happening in racing tomorrow and that occurs in Race 7 at Doomben, the BTC Cup, when there is a First 4 jackpot of $143,399.

The apprentice jockey weights for Doomben tomorrow should be:

Today on www.brisbaneracing.com.au I preview the opening race at Doomben, the Doomben Dash, on www.sydneyracing.com.au I preview Race 5 the Chairman’s Handicap, whilst on www.melbourneracing.com.au Tim Hickman looks at Flemington.

Sean Bridges, Assistant Racecourses Manager for the Brisbane Racing Club, advises that the Doomben penetrometer at 3pm this afternoon was 5.3. He further stated that "with predicted fine weather an upgrade is possible". Some 12mm of rain has fallen on Doomben in the last seven days - and no irrigation has been put on the track.

Galilee sent through this report on Adelaide racing:

Bergstrom did not help the bank balance last week. Is in again this week, over further, but we will look elsewhere. The rail is out 4 metres and we have a Good 3 track at the time of going to press. I have said many times this track....well you look for the on pacers. See if it works this week.

Race 2 is the race I am looking at. It consists of a small field, but there will be money for a few and Pedantic Miss looks like the favourite and will be hard to beat, but I am looking elsewhere. Some of the top stables have runners in this Fillies and Mares race. It is a Sabis bonus race for qualified runners, there is a $15,000 bonus, and I can only see one qualifier and that is She Swings. She’s a recent winner and has won at this track. In my opinion the David Jolly trained - Cornelia Marie is the one that will keep them all honest. From the ideal barrier, she should jump, lead, or be just off the pace. She Swings has drawn the five alley and She Swings and Reconcentrate from their draws probably have to run up towards the lead. Let’s hope they work a bit hard doing that and we tuck away on the fence, not spending too much petrol. I am hoping that there are no cut throat tactics in this, as it will set it up for Pedantic Miss - we want her back a bit and asleep when our button is pressed. Ms. Claudia Lions is on board and is claiming 2 kgs – lovely. Cornelia Marie was scratched from last Saturday’s meeting; I would like to think for this, but probably as a result of drawing the 17 barrier. Cornelia Marie has a liking for this track; a win and a third from two starts, at this distance four starts, a win, two seconds and a third. She has had eleven starts and has a 73% placing rate with a win rate of 27% - I’d like one like that. Will be ultra competitive in this.

Selection: 6

Good Luck.

Neil Davis from popular and informative New Zealand website www.formpro.co.nz sent through his thoughts on New Zealand and Australian racing tomorrow. His report reads:

Below are my thoughts on the Kiwi runners in Australia and a strong win chance in New Zealand. (PLEASE CHECK NUMBERS AND TIMES WITH OFFICIAL TAB LISTS)

Race 5

We have three Kiwi runners in here. 1- Gallions Reach needs to go about 100km inland to have a chance of winning a race, so I couldn’t have him. 6-Castle Heights has had two runs back and may just need one more to be a realistic chance of winning. 10- Calatrava is a mare that needs all favours and from the draw is unlikely to get that. 13-The Grogoch got all favours when winning last start. Steps up in class here, but from the draw will get a cosy trip. He is the second best Kiwi chance in the race and at $26 could help make up a nice trifecta.

The best of them should be number 9-Shi Kin Fly. Three starts back she was used up early from a wide draw to get handy, got into a nice position behind the pace, led 150m out and won strongly. She battled next start, but bounced back last start when a strong closing third on an unsuitable slow track under Weight-For-Age conditions. She should get a decent surface to run on here and is the best each way bet of the Kiwis especially at the current odds of $9.

Race 7

1-King Mufhasa was in the best form of his life before he came over. He ran a solid third over 1500m at Rosehill against good horses. From his wide draw he does have enough early pace to work across and sit outside the leader and if Sam Spratt can control the pace from there and get a softish midrace sectional, which is the way he has won most of his races, he can kick on these and be a realistic chance of hanging on. At $21 I’ll be on eachway.

Sydney

Race 3

8-Leica Scotch (By Zabeel) - two starts back really hit the line hard late with an interrupted passage over 1600m at Ellerslie in a strong form race. Then next start I was surprised he started over 1600m again, as he was definitely looking for more ground. He found the line nicely late but didn’t have the same zip as his previous start. The 1800m will suit better and with an even tempo likely in this race he can settle about fifth or sixth and with the light weight is a strong each way chance at $6.50.

Race 4

4-The Terminator

He won impressively fresh up over 1600m at Ellerslie. Then next start against good horses fought on well for third over 2000m on an unsuitable slow track. He is best suited to right hand tracks and a decent surface which he gets here and is the best of the three Kiwi runners.

2-Grandissima has had some hard racing, but keeps trying her best. 5-Kings Deep is a big long striding stayer and if it is a strong pace he could out-grind them, but I can’t see that happening.

If you are looking for a runner in New Zealand to boost the account balance then have a few dollars on number 11-Hi Flo at Taranaki in Race 1 9.37 a.m.

She is a maiden High Chaparral filly who was taken to Trentham fresh up two weeks ago and ran a strong third to handy horses that had all won at least one race. She looked in need of the run to my eye and back to her home course over 1800m back against non-winners, she will settle back and swoop on these over the last 200m. The track will be slow to heavy, but her mother won in knee deep stuff twice, so she should relish it. She should be around the $3 price.

Whatever you get back off her, put it all on King Mufhasa for a place and shout yourself a nice meal out - and if they miss, well fish and chips always taste great.