DOOMBEN PREVIEW May 29, 2010 DOOMBEN 10,000 (WFA 1350M) The G1 Doomben 10,000 (wfa, 1350m) has a most intriguing history. Some wonderful gallopers have won it since it was first run in 1933, when it was called the Doomben Newmarket. It has been a great race for 3YOs, at least of the male variety – 25 of them have won it – but, amazingly, no 3YO filly has taken out the feature sprint. In fact, the girls of all ages have had a tough time of it, as only four mares have won the Doomben 10,000. They are Flitter (1994), Maybe Mahal (1977), Hamurah (1938) and High Benia (1936). That’s just a fascinating statistic, even more so when you look at this year’s race, in which the betting markets are dominated by two mares and a filly. Surely, history must play a part in the selection process, but I can’t understand why a race like this – weight-for-age over 1350m, run late in the season – has been so gender biased towards males. I’m tipping two 3YOs to fight it out – the in-form filly Melito can make history, and the former star juvenile, the gelding Phelan Ready, can resurrect his career. I want to tip the filly, and my form guide says I should, but history is tugging hard at my coat to tip Phelan Ready. A seasoned coattugger like history is hard to resist. I don’t have to rely on Phelan Ready’s juvenile form to find a reason to tip him – he won the 2009 Golden Slipper and the Magic Millions – because in the spring, he showed his class by running a terrific second behind Danleigh in the G1 Manikato Stakes (wfa 1200m) at Moonee Valley.
Trainer Jason McLachlan has taken Phelan Ready quietly since the spring to allow the gelding to get over the nagging injuries at affected his form. This carnival has been his mission. I just loved the way Phelan Ready ran in the G3 Gold Coast Guineas (1200m), finishing 4th behind Beethog, after having a torrid run. Jockey Stathi Katsidis gave the horse a real test by pushing him forward (and wide) from the outset, and Phelan Ready held on bravely to be beaten less then length. I feel this horse is very ready. Melito’s form is outstanding. She is proven against older horses under these conditions, winning the G1 TJ Smith (wfa, 1200m) at Randwick, when she ran down Hot Danish, and then followed up with a solid 2nd behind Hot Danish in the G1 All Aged Stakes (wfa, 1400m, Randwick), when that great mare dictated the tempo. Melito’s last start second behind Albert The Fat in the G1 BTC Cup (wfa 1200m) here two weeks ago will have topped her off nicely. I’m suspicious of the BTC Cup form. Hot Danish, like Melito and Phelan Ready, has drawn inside and she will be in the box seat to run her usual honest race, while Whobegotyou, resuming from the spring, is the wild card, as I get the impression trainer Mark Kavanagh has him primed for a big first-up run. Whobegotyou is a class act, and he goes very well fresh. Nobody should be surprised if he blows them away. Ortensia is a threat, especially if the pace is on, while the tough Kiwi King Mufhasa and Mic Mac, with blinkers off, will run well. The tips: Phelan Ready for an upset to beat Melito, Hot Danish, Whobegotyou and Mic Mac.
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Predicted positions on settling
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Race 7, 4.00pm (Brisbane time)
AND ALSO Continuing this column’s preference for following two-legged athletes rather than the four-legged ones they sit on, there are two standouts to stick with tomorrow. With the deletion of talent at Caulfield, Jason Maskiell, the young man in a hurry, is the go – he has rides in all eight races, it’s just a matter of picking the eyes out of them. That is no easy task with the first six in the market and the other two sneaky chances – T ell T h e S t o r y ($16, R7) and K el’s G ol d ($18, R8). The obvious winner is the unbeaten O u r Bab y B o n u s ($2.10, R2), but name (reputation and moniker) and stable (Mick Price) mean you’re probably taking unders. And Also’s suggestion is to have something on En z e d G i rl ($7) in the first and play up some (or all) on the shortie. If you’ve had your collect by then, turn to Randwick for the other jock feeling good about himself – K e r r in McEv o y, coming off a non-stable Group 1 win (Metal Bender in last week’s Doomben Cup). Peter Snowden’s Darley team offers him four at the top of the markets this week, so choose one or two of them – G ol estan ($2.40, R1), Mascar e r i ($2.30, R3), Pinwh e el ($2.60, R6) and K has K u ra ($3.20, R8). And who’s to say K-Mac can’t add an outside winner, Chris Waller’s First L o o k, $6.50 and down in class in R5. That’s Metal Bender’s stable, and Waller (66) has moved past Gai Waterhouse (65), behind Snowden (83) on this season’s premiership. Stephen Howell