This is the best edition of the Doomben Cup that I can remember, certainly since the turn of the century, and we could very well be treated to the race of the season in Brisbane on Saturday afternoon.
The in-form Zaaki is joined by no fewer than seven previous winners at the highest level of racing in the Doomben Cup field, including Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet, as well as the All-Star Mile winner Mugatoo. Wow.
You can find my 2021 Doomben Cup tips below.
Doomben Cup – Winner
No. 5 Zaaki – Bet Now: $3.20
Zaaki simply couldn’t have been more impressive in the Hollindale Stakes a fortnight ago and I’ve found it impossible to look past him in the Doomben Cup.
The talented European import has had three starts since arriving in Australia and into the care of Annabel Neasham, and he has noticeably improved with each start.
He kept all of his best work for last when sixth in the Doncaster Mile, went within a head of Paths Of Glory in the JRA Cup and put paid to the last time out.
This is his major campaign target and under James McDonald, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish.
Doomben Cup – 2nd
No. 12 Toffee Tongue – Bet Now: $18.00
She clearly needed the run when returned from a brief spell in the Hollindale Stakes, but Toffee Tongue’s record over 2000m is outstanding (5:2-2-1), and I think she’ll be in the Doomben Cup for a long way.
The Tavistock mare recorded her first and only Group 1 win so far in last year’s edition of the Australasian Oaks, and she has continued to race well in some of our best races; going within a whisker of beating Verry Elleegant in the Turnbull Stakes the perfect example.
Having won the Sky High Stakes during the Sydney Autumn Carnival most notably, I’m confident her hit-out a fortnight ago will have brought her right back on.
Doomben Cup – 3rd
No. 2 Mugatoo – Bet Now: $3.80
Mugatoo has been freshened since his last appearance in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and obviously, he shapes as a key winning chance in the Doomben Cup.
The six-year-old gelding is one of, if not the best horse in Australia currently that is yet to win a Group 1 race, but he scored a very handy consolation when beating a classy field to the line in the All-Star Mile this year, pocketing more than $2 million in the process.
Even when he’s not at his best, he simply doesn’t know how to run a bad race, and he has been kept up to the mark with a trial in the lead-up to this race.
Doomben Cup – 4th
No. 3 Fifty Stars – Bet Now: $13.00
Fifty Stars is an outstanding racehorse and also wouldn’t look out of place in the 2021 Doomben Cup winner’s stall.
Having famously won the Australian Cup last year, the Sea The Stars entire is yet to return to winning form in 2021, but he has still been as honest as ever, and was clearly the best of the rest behind Zaaki in the Hollindale Stakes a fortnight ago.
He’s rock-hard fit, getting out to 2000m is ideal and with even luck, he’ll be in the finish again.
Doomben Cup Tips
- 3 Units straight out #5 Zaaki
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections below