Duncan hoping for a positive Doomben return

By Glenn Davis

For the first time since a near fatal collapse in July, Caloundra trainer Jack Duncan will make a return to Doomben to saddle up Wapiti in the Doomben Mile on Saturday.

Duncan says he’s lucky to be alive after suffering a heart attack in the Doomben tie-up stalls in late July.

He received CPR from bystanders until ambulance officers arrived and was rushed to hospital where he underwent surgery to insert two stents.

“I’m just glad I’m still here and I’m able to go back to the races,” the 63-year-old said.

“I went to the Sunshine Coast races a couple of weeks ago but this is the first time I’ve been back at Doomben since the heart attack.”

Wapiti, who is affectionately known as Moose around the Duncan stables, will be seeking to avenge his last start defeat when fourth behind Ballistic Boy in a 1350-metre Open at Doomben last month.

Ballistic Boy is attempting back-to-back Doomben Mile wins after claiming the race when it was a Listed feature in December last year.

Wapiti is having only his third start this campaign and Duncan is confident the five-year-old can win for the first time since his Group 3 Winx Guineas victory at the Sunshine Coast in July last year.

“He should be hard to beat as he’s looking for 1600 metres now,” Duncan said.

“His two runs back have been too short for him but the worse thing for him is it’s at Doomben as he likes bigger tracks like Eagle Farm.

“He’s in good nick and if he runs well, he’ll run in two weeks in the Toowoomba Cup.”

Wapiti was bred by Caloundra’s Caroline Hickey but was passed in at the Magic Millions January sales in 2018 before being bought privately by Duncan.

“I’ve always liked Wapiti ever since I saw him as a weanling and when he was passed in, I bought him privately after the sales,” Duncan said.

“He’s got a big head just like a moose which is what we’ve called him since the day he first came into the stables.”

Duncan rates the Chris Anderson-trained Ballistic Boy as the main threat again and is hoping for more speed in the race.

“He didn’t get going at all against Ballistic Boy last start and he only got beaten a couple of lengths when there was no pace on,” he said.