RACEDAY REVIEW: Group 1 Doomben Cup Day

A number of important 2019 TAB Queensland Winter Racing Carnival questions were answered at Doomben on Saturday. 

While Kenedna saluted in the Group 1 Doomben Cup for trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, a hanful of locally trained gallopers put themselves in contention for some of the upcoming majors. 

If you couldn't be trackside, see a full recap of the day below including results, replays, photos and winning trainer/jockey comments. 

RACEDAY STEWARDS REPORT 

Race 1 - 11:15AM TAB BENCHMARK 75 Handicap (1600 METRES)

1st - Red Colour - Les Ross - Les Tilley 

2nd - Fabulonh - Heathcote-Anderson Racing - Dale Smith

3rd - Mymming - Stuart Kendrick - Jim Orman 

A frontrunning masterclass from journeyman jockey Les 'Bubba' Tilley helped the Les Ross-trained Red Colour claim the opener on Doomben Cup day at the Brisbane Racing Club. 

Tilley managed to claim some cheap mid-race sectionals before the Red Element mare found a strong kick in the straight to beat the Heathcote/Anderson-trained Fabulonh by two-and-three-quarter lengths. 

It was a day of mixed fortunes for Tilley, who left Doomben after the opener to take four rides at Beaudesert. 

Unfortunately, the 24-year-old and apprentice Adin Thompson were involved in a nasty fall in Race 3 and were transported to hospital for observation. 

Tilley expects to be back riding at Rockhampton on Tuesday, pending a doctor's clearance, where he is set to partner smart two-year-old Master Jamie. 

Prior to leving Doomben, Tilley said he was glad to be able to leave on a winning note, leaving memories of a narrow defeat aboard Spurcraft in last year's Chief De Beers Handicap behind him. 

"I got beat a nose in the Chief De Beers last year so it's good to get a winner on Doomben Cup Day," he said. 

"(Red Colour) got boxed in last start down the Gold Coast so I knew I had to go forward. They didn't hand up to me but she was good, strong and got the job done."

Ross said conditions today were made to suit and had no firm plans for her heading forward during the carnival. 

“We were very fortunate they left us alone in front, she did a similar thing three starts back at eagle Farm and just got pipped on the post, so with the shorter Doomben straight and a little bit of give in the ground we were quietly confident," he said.

“She’s always appreciated that sting out of the ground the Soft 5 was spot on for her today.

“I said to 'Bubba' (Tilley) push her out and see if we can lead, we thought we might be posted second but it worked out even better.

“I was quite surprised the way she kicked that’s the most turn of foot I’ve seen out of her, if she can reproduce that I think I’ll scrap the 1800’s and keep her around the mile."

Well-supported favourite Sacred Day found itself near last as the field turned for home but finished well to run fourth.  

Race 2 - AUS RACING HALL OF FAME BENCHMARK 75 Handicap (2000 METRES)

1st - Fighting Teo - Kevin Kemp - Luke Tarrant 

2nd - Duchess Of Lennox - Chris Waller - Jason Collett

3rd - Guise - Chris Waller - Kerrin McEvoy

Toowoomba trainer Kevin Kemp says the best is yet to come for promising staying four-year-old Fighting Teo, which broke through for a well-deserved win in the Benchmark 75 Handicap (Race 2) on Doomben Cup Day.

It was the gelding’s first win since saluting at the Sunshine Coast to round off a breakthrough prep that included a narrow second at Rosehill Gardens last spring. 

Jockey Luke Tarrant managed to find a cosy position after jumping from barrier four and found clear air at the top of the straight, holding off a late charge from the well-supported Duchess Of Lennox.

Chris Waller-trained favourite Guise loomed at the 300m mark but couldn’t bridge the gap.

“The good thing about this horse is he’s only a four-year-old and will only get better later in his career,” Kemp said.

“He’s had seven runs this prep and hasn’t put in a bad one, last couple of starts we’ve drawn a good alley and put him in a position to win and he’s done so today.

“He’ll push on now, as I said he’s only four and is bouncing back a treat from these races, so he’ll go around again soon.

“I was really impressed with his turn of foot, we kept him pretty fresh after his Gold Coast Cup run on the heavy and that’s shone through today.”

To the eye, Fighting Teo appeared to be one-paced throughout a majority of runs this preparation but Tarrant insists he has plenty to give when he secures the right run in transit.

“Sometimes you think there’s this excuse and that excuse but today everything went right and it showed late,” he said.

“It mightn’t look like he’s travelling but when you ask him for something he’s got plenty.”

Race 3 - 12:25PM CITY PROPERTY SERVICES BILL CARTER STAKES (1200 METRES)

1st - Perudo - Tony Gollan - Brad Stewart

2nd - Gem Of Scotland - Rex Lipp - Jim Orman

3rd - Niedorp - Tony Gollan - Tim Clark 

Tony Gollan-trained filly Perudo has topped an all-Queensland trifecta in the Listed Bill Carter Stakes for two-year-olds.

The Spirit Of Boom filly found clear air with 100m to go to chase down her stablemate Niedorp, before fighting off a flying Gem Of Scotland for Rex Lipp. 

It continued a winning start to the day for local trainers and gave Gollan his first, on what was to be a big day for the stable. 

Gollan said he was in two minds whether to bring the QTIS Jewel fourth place-getter back for the Winter. 

“We’ll come back here in a fortnight for the Oxlade and hopefully the barrier gods can shine of me and give me another good draw," Gollan said. 

“She ran on a very heavy track in The Aquis Jewel and we gave here a couple of weeks off and were a bit each way on whether we’d bring her back for the Winter, but I’m glad we did.

“She had a nice jumpout here ten days ago and we were quietly confident she’d be up for this today.”

Perudo, owned and bred by Eureka Stud near Toowoomba, secured a beautiful run in transit from barrier three under Brad Stewart. 

“It was a tough race on paper I knew I had to make the most of the barrier and get her a cosy run," Stewart said. 

“She took a little while to balance up once she got off Niedorp’s back, but when I asked her for a sprint she was ready.”

Niedorp managed to find a break in the run home and fought on gamely to finish third. 

“Niedorp was great she had to sit outside the leader without cover, I think if you reverse there positions you reverse the result, couldn’t be happier with both of them.”

Race 4 - JRA 3YO Plate (1200 METRES)

1st - Zoustyle - Tony Gollan - Brad Stewart

2nd - Plague Stone - James Cummings - Kerrin McEvoy

3rd - Jami Lady - Steve O'Dea - Ron Stewart 

Seven furlongs will pose no threat to the unbeaten Zoustyle but any thoughts of a TAB Stradbroke Handicap are still up in the air according to trainer Tony Gollan.

Despite wanting to get on with the job mid-way through his first-up assignment in the JRA Plate, the speedy son of Zoustar found plenty in the run home to hold off Godolphin’s Plague Stone in 1.09.02.

Zoustyle, which now boasts six wins from as many starts, was due to run first-up in the Gold Coast Guineas on May 4 but was scratched due to a heavy track.

He entered Saturday's race a $7 all-in favourite for Queensland’s premier handicap at Eagle Farm on June 8 but Gollan is reluctant to commit to the $1.5 million sprint with an interrupted preparation.

“He’s a really impressive horse but was pretty fresh today and needed the run,” Gollan said.

“Whenever they’re unbeaten you get a little bit more anxious coming to the races, but he executed very well today he had a very good horse chasing him and kept his margin.

“He’s got a lovely high cruising speed, I thought they were going a lot slower than they were the first 600 he just makes galloping look so easy.

“There are plenty of options for him, we could go to The G2 Moreton in a fortnight, I’m not sure where he sits in The Stradbroke order now, or we could bypass that and go to the three-year-old race (Daybreak Lover) on Stradbroke day.”

Any questions as to whether the gelding could run out a strong 1200m against quality opposition were answered today but the 1400m still poses question marks for some, except Gollan.

“Definitely, 1400m won’t pose any problems,” Gollan said.

Zoustyle wanted to get his head up in the air as the field headed down the Aerodrome side of the course but jockey Brad Stewart wasn’t too concerned.

“It didn’t worry me too much, it was only a couple of strides he’s been bursting out of him skin to race and that can happen when they’re a bit keen," Stewart said. 

“I knew we had Plauge Stone chasing us, but I was travelling nicely and didn’t need to ride him out hands and heels.”

Race 5 - QLD CHINESE JOCKEY CLUB BRIGHT SHADOW QUALITY (1200 METRES)

1st - Quilista - Peter and Paul Snowden - Kerrin McEvoy 

2nd - Test The World - Bjorn Baker  - Tim Clark 

3rd - River Racer - Les Ross - Michael Cahill

Quilista justified her short quote despite not having won in over a year to claim the Listed Bright Shadow Quality at Doomben for Peter and Paul Snowden. 

The win added some further black-type to her overall impressive record ahead of a likely appearance at this month’s Magic Millions Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast. 

“The plan was to sell her and that’s probably the route we’ll take, but not before a couple more runs with us," Paul Snowden said. 

“She’s a multiple Group Two winner, doing it with heavy weight and running time, wherever she ends up there’s a bit future.”

The speedy five-year-old managed to find the front easily from an inside draw under Kerrin McEvoy and extended her lead in the straight to beat Miss Que and Test The World by three-and-a-half lengths.

“We got to the front fairly easily and even with the big weight she was travelling throughout," McEvoy said. 

“Not many are going to catch here if she leads and comes home that quick (33.61), I’m sure Paul’s (Snowden) has a big winter planned for her.”

The now nine-time winner came home in a speedy 33.61sec after securing some cheap early sectionals when fellow speedster Stella Victoria was scratched this morning.

Race 6 - IPG MARKETING SOLUTIONS CHIEF DE BEERS (1110 METRES)

1st - Isaurian - James Cummings - James McDonald

2nd - Straturbo - Tony Gollan - Tim Clark

3rd - In Good Time - Tracey Bartley - Ron Stewart 

The fortunes of the mighty Godolphin stable turned when Isaurian put in a last-minute dive to nab the Listed Chief De Beers in a photo finish over sprinting stalwart Straturbo.

Trainer James Cummings and travelling foreman Nacim Dilmi were visibly gutted when Osborne Bulls just missed in last weekend’s TAB Doomben 10,000 as an equal favourite, making it five Group 1 seconds in succession.

With Osborne Bulls now in the spelling paddock, Isaurian has now put his hand up as one of Godolphin’s leading sprint contenders for the remainder of the Brisbane Carnival.

Cummings suspects the four-year-old horse is one on the rise and said he was pleased with the ride from jockey James McDonald.

“I had him a little further back in the run but James landed in a handy spot and decided to roll with him there,” he said.

“He’s a genuine four-year-old bull this colt and not all horses have that will to win.”

It was Isaurian’s first time back at the races after running third in the Listed Takeover Target at Gosford in January.

“He’s remarkable fresh the one trial and he’s chomping at the bit to get out and race, I’ve got no doubt he’s still on an upward trend his best is yet to come,” Cummings said.

“The Moreton Cup is on in two weeks, but there are plenty of other nice sprint options on the table for us.”

Race 7 - BERNBOROUGH ASCOT BRC SPRINT (1350 METRES)

1st - Tyzone - Toby Edmonds - Blake Shinn

2nd - Violate - Brent Stanley - Luke Nolen

3rd - I'm A Rippa - Tony Gollan - Jeff Lloyd 

Two years after running fifth in Townsville’s Cleveland Bay Handicap Tyzone has put himself firmly in the TAB Stradbroke Handicap picture after claiming the G3 BRC Sprint (1350m) in impressive fashion.  

Tyzone settled three-wide at the rear of the field before letting down with a barnstorming run to claim his first win at Group level.

Tyzone arrived at the Toby Edmonds stable just over a year ago after beginning his career with North Queensland trainer Roy Chillemi.

He was yet to win beyond 1300m before today’s assignment and put to bed any queries as to whether he could get over further.

“Credit to Blake (Shinn) he got a bollocking for his ride the other day. He was professional, chased the ride, was confident and gave him a gun ride,” Edmonds said.

“He’s a prolific winner, is honest and gives his all.”

Since arriving at Edmonds’ Gold Coast stable he has run second in the Listed Eye Liner at Ipswich and won the TAB Goldmarket Quality at the Gold Coast in March.

Owner and chairman of the Cairns Jockey Club Tom Hedley praised Chillemi for finding the horse at the Ready To Run Sales as a two-year-old and nurturing his talent early.

“Roy did a good job with him when chose him as a ready to run. We’ve had a great ride with him. He’s done a good job for Toby and he’s done a good job for us,” Hedley said.

“You’d have to say he’d be very competitive in no matter what he goes in.”

Heavily supported favourite Chapter And Verse travelled like the winner with 300m to go but couldn't find clear running. Magic Millions 3YO winner Boomsara sat three-wide outside the lead and folded in the straight. 

Race 8 - HARDY BROTHERS JEWELLERS DOOMBEN CUP (2000 METRES)

1st - Kenedna - Ciaron Maher and David Eustace - John Allen

2nd - Life Less Ordinary - Chris Waller - Jason Collett

3rd - Sixties Groove - Kris Lees - Larry Cassidy

Caulfield horseman Ciaron Maher has continued his love affair with the TAB Queensland Winter Racing Carnival after taking the time-honoured Group 1 Doomben Cup with Kenedna.

Maher, in partnership with David Eustace, adds the Doomben Cup to his impressive list of Queensland feature wins including the Queensland Derby (Ruthven), Stradbroke Handicap (Srikandi) and Tatt’s Tiara (Srikandi).

“I love coming up to Queensland it’s a great time of year to get out of Victoria and get a bit of sun on your back, I’m just rapt to be able to train a horse of this order,” he said.

For Kenedna, it was her second Group 1 win this preparation after taking the Coolmore Legacy at Randwick during The Championships.

It was also her first run back in Queensland after winning the Doomben Roses and finishing fourth in the 2017 Queensland Oaks when prepared by banned trainer Darren Weir.

She becomes the first mare to win the weight-for-age classic since Streama in 2014 and just the second since Cinque Cento in 2007.  

“The owners were going to take her to the breeding barn but thankfully they trusted her with us and I was just in the right place at the right time,” Maher said.

“I thought she was pretty right to go today, she took improvement out of that run at the Gold Coast she was probably in the wrong part of that track and didn’t handle the conditions.”

Jockey John Allen looked to take Kenedna to the outside as the field turned for home but was found wanting for a run. His decision to switch back towards the rail proved the winning manoeuvre but also caught the attention of the Stewards. 

Allen was charged under the provisions of AR131(a) after Stewards found that he shifted in when insufficiently clear of the Chris Waller-trained Savvy Coup. 

Allen was suspended for a period of 13 days to commence on May 21 and expire on June 3. 

Stewards also noted the fast-finishing Life Less Ordinary was held up rounding the turn before rattling home into second. 

Race 9 - MAGIC MILLIONS THE ROSES (2000 METRES)

1st - Etana - Ciaron Maher - John Allen

2nd - Aliferous - Kris Lees - Jason Collett

3rd - Welsh Legend - Chris Waller - Leith Innes 

Queensland; perfect one day, better the next. 

The statement couldn't be any truer for Caulfield trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace who made it two runners for two winners when Etana scored in the G2 Roses en-route to the Queensland Oaks. 

Etana finished third in the Gold Coast Bracelet behind Winning Ways and is now on track to be back at Doomben on June 1 over the 2200m. 

"Three-years-old is about the time you want your good fillies to start winning black type races and she's shown us she's in that class today," Maher said. 

"We'll push on to the Oaks and see if she can take that next step." 

Jockey John Allen said it was a good Oaks trial and that she was very strong to the line.