Doomben (Doomben 10000 Day) Tips & Preview | Saturday 17 May

Victory Win (1) looks well-suited dropping back to the mile after showing plenty of fight over 1835m last start at Eagle Farm, where he led them up before fading late to finish just 1.3 lengths off the winner in a tougher race. The Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained gelding thrives at this track and trip, boasting three wins from four starts over the Doomben mile. That includes a gutsy victory two runs back in this grade, where he was caught wide throughout but still surged late to score by a neck. With in-form jockey Jamie Mott aboard and a favourable draw, he’s poised to get every chance in the run. I’m confident Victory Win can kick off Ladbrokes Doomben 10,000 Day in style, after all, the clue’s in the name!

Deep Respect (2) made an eye-catching return over 1200m at Eagle Farm, signalling he’s in for a strong campaign. The Kelly Schweida-trained son of Deep Field showed plenty of grit, going down narrowly to Ser Joh in a tight finish, with a 1.5-length gap back to third. He’ll take good improvement from that run and returns to a course and distance he knows well — three wins from five starts here speaks volumes. With Jag Guthmann-Chester jumping from the inside draw, expect him to land in a handy spot and be right in the thick of it late.

Pisces (1) looks superbly placed under the set weights of this 3YO Plate, and he’s ready to strike. The James Cummings-trained gelding has been hitting the line hard in stronger company, including a fast-finishing fourth in the Group 3 Hawkesbury Guineas last start, and a similar effort in the Listed Daybreak Lover at Eagle Farm prior. Now, with James McDonald back in the saddle, confidence is high. He was aboard for Pisces’ dominant win in the Group 3 Blue Sapphire Stakes, where a more forward ride proved the key. From a favourable draw, expect ‘J Mac’ to adopt similar tactics and give Pisces every chance to return to the winner’s circle.

Al Mubhir (2) improved significantly last start over 1500m at Randwick in his first start for the Archibald stable. The import didn’t do a great deal when with William Haggas in the G1 Ranvet Stakes and the G1 Doncaster Mile but produced a super effort over 1500m at Randwick where despite racing three-wide the trip he fought gamely to finish third. He’s a Listed winner in the UK and has won twice over a mile. James McDonald replaces the apprentice and should give him a sweet run from barrier 2.

Grafterburners (1) resumes after a brilliant win in the QTIS 2YO Jewel, and he looks primed to pick up right where he left off. The Kelly Schweida-trained colt by Graff overcame a wide draw at the Gold Coast, unleashing a blistering turn of foot to storm home and score by a length over 1200m — a performance that stamped him as a serious talent. He’s tuned up for this with a sharp trial win, cruising to the line under minimal pressure and clearly with more in the tank. With genuine speed expected in the Spirit Of Boom Classic, the race shape should suit him perfectly. If he gets the right run, he’ll be charging late.

Sir Delius (1) makes his Australian debut in the Group 3 JRA Chairman’s Handicap and looks ready to make an immediate impact for the Waterhouse & Bott stable. The Frankel import has impressed in two lead-up trials, particularly his latest where he was given a solid hit-out to bring him on nicely for this first-up assignment. A winner on debut over a similar trip, Sir Delius also boasts strong European credentials, including a Group 3 win and a Group 2 placing in France. With Tim Clark, arguably the best front-running rider in the country, taking the reins, expect him to roll forward and give a bold sight.

In Flight (2) has returned in excellent form this prep, notching up consecutive runner-up finishes and showing she’s ready to peak. The Joe Pride-trained mare was game first-up at Canterbury, finishing just half a length off the winner, before producing a strong late surge in the Listed Gold Rush at Hawkesbury, narrowly missing in the heavy going. She’s a proven performer on rain-affected tracks, with three wins from five starts on heavy ground, and she’s already a winner third-up. With Jason Collett drawing well, he should be able to position her just off the speed and give her every chance to go one better.

This year’s Group 1 Ladbrokes Doomben 10,000 shapes as a cracking contest, and I’m firmly in the corner of Benedetta (14). The Jason Warren-trained mare is as honest as they come, rarely running a bad race, and she’s been in terrific form this prep despite encountering her share of bad luck. She kicked off with a strong third in the G1 Black Caviar Lightning, then had no favours in the G1 Newmarket Handicap second-up. Her run in the G1 William Reid Stakes was outstanding where she stormed home from the back on a day when the track heavily favoured on-pacers, finishing just a length off the winner. Four weeks ago, she again found the line strongly in the G1 All Aged Stakes, finishing fifth, 2.7 lengths off the winner after being held up at a key stage. A sharp trial since has kept her ticking over nicely. With plenty of speed engaged here, the race looks tailor-made for her powerful finish. If she gets the breaks, Benedetta can absolutely take this out.

Firm Agreement (1) has been holding his form beautifully in stronger company and looks ready to break through. The Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained colt by Yes Yes Yes was desperately unlucky not to win the G2 Tulloch Stakes three starts ago, and followed that with a brave second in the G1 Australian Derby, chasing hard behind the classy Aeliana. Last start, he again hit the line well in the G3 Frank Packer Plate, finishing just under a length behind Shangri La Spring. A quiet trial since has kept him ticking over nicely. He handles wet ground and profiles perfectly for the Rough Habit Plate. If he’s within striking distance turning for home, he’ll be charging late and could very well close out Doomben 10000 Day with a win.