2025 Doomben Cup runner-by-runner form assessments and $26 on top tip

Racenet’s Clinton Payne presents his tips and form assessment for each of the runners in Saturday’s Group 1 Doomben Cup at Doomben.

The $1m Doomben Cup has drawn together a high-class field of weight-for-age performers, with a field of 13 runners declared for the 2000m contest.

Here is a runner-by-runner analysis of every horse set to line up on Saturday.

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1 – ANTINO

Queensland’s best galloper comes into this off a dominant win in the Hollindale Stakes on a track that was like a ploughed paddock, so some query over that form. In saying that, he did win the Toorak late last year in a similar manner. Genuine Group 1 horse on trial at 2000m but he wasn’t stopping at the Gold Coast and he’s unbeaten at Doomben.

VERDICT: One of the leading chances.

Antino wins the TAB Hollindale Stakes in dominant fashion! 👊 @tonygollanpic.twitter.com/MMTxA1UANY

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 10, 2025

2 – LINDERMANN

He’s a real query runner here. Kicked off the prep back in February and in five Sydney runs he was around the mark against the likes of Via Sistina, Fangirl, Arapaho and Dubai Honour. Then went to the Gold Coast and was a shadow of that horse on the bottomless bog. Conditions are expected to be better but which horse do we see?

VERDICT: At his best he’s got winning claims.

The champ Via Sistina claims the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes with ease, equalling Winx's record of 7 Group 1's in a season! 🤩 What a mare!@cwallerracing | @mcacajamez | @YulongInvest | @aus_turf_club | @WorldPoolpic.twitter.com/oMBNGpAyv8

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 12, 2025

3 – FAWKNER PARK

He finished behind Lindermann in three Sydney runs during the autumn, but he turned the tables on that horse when second to the dominant Antino in the extremely testing ground on the Gold Coast last time out in the Hollindale Stakes. His record on good-rated tracks is exceptional (17:8-1-1) so he’s suited on the better ground, and he excels at 2000m.

VERDICT: Ticks plenty of boxes.

She's just the best!

Via Sistina makes it back-to-back Ranvet Stakes and notches up her 7th Australian G1 victory! ✌️@cwallerracing | @mcacajamez | @YulongInvest | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/dqqaUCleXH

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 22, 2025

4 – BOIS D’ARGENT

Won this race last year and has come back this preparation in great order. Finished close up behind Ceolwulf on the heavy in the Neville Sellwood before winning the JRA Plate over 2000m at Randwick. Ventured north and despite previously running well on heavy ground, he struggled in the Hollindale Stakes, probably in the worst part of the ground.

VERDICT: He’s not the worst.

Bois D'argent leads all the way in the G3 JRA Plate! 💨@ANeashamRacing | @Brown_ethan8 | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/h18SUCvXB2

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 19, 2025

5 – MILITARIZE

Returned this prep from a failed stud career and took a few runs to strike any semblance of his old form. It came third-up in the Doncaster when he got within 1¼ lengths of the winner Stefi Magnetica. Then had five weeks between runs into the Hollindale Stakes and while an accomplished heavy track performer, he was never a winning chance, plodding home into fifth out in the better ground.

VERDICT: His best would have him in the mix but not sure where he’s at.

Stradbroke winner Stefi Magnetica reigns supreme in the G1 Doncaster Mile, as @BBakerRacing and Jason Collett celebrate another success ! 🙌@aus_turf_club | @WorldPoolpic.twitter.com/13Mkg5tEdS

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 5, 2025

6 – MY OBERON

High class weight-for-age performer that lands here set to peak third-up. His best Australian form has come over 1600m, he failed when down the track in the Cox Plate of 2023. When formerly trained in the UK back in 2021, he did finish fourth, beaten 3¼ lengths in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (2000m). His last run was good with 60kg and he’s placed in the past two King Charles III Stakes (1600m).

VERDICT: Has the class to win this and drawn to get his chance.

Epsom winner Ceolwulf with a huge run wins the G1 King Charles III Stakes in front of a record crowd at Randwick!@PrideRacing | @SchofieldChad@aus_turf_club | @WorldPoolpic.twitter.com/28oRVnurKS

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 19, 2024

7 – KOVALICA

He’s the biggest tease in Australian racing. Caught the eye when getting home from near the tail in the Hollindale Sakes, out in the best ground, to finish third. He was also good resuming when beaten 2¼ lengths in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m). Now fourth-up, he should be at his top and he’s a winner over 2000m. Fact remains, Saturday is six days shy of his two-year anniversary since his last win in the 2023 Queensland Derby.

VERDICT: Capable but has a habit of disappointing.

Gringotts gets his first G1 win in an epic edition of the George Ryder Stakes! 🙌@cmaherracing | @TommyBerry21 | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/RxCWoAgtb4

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 22, 2025

8 – ELIYASS

Created a great impression during his first Australian campaign last spring, winning three Sydney black-type races, including the Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) before finishing third in the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) then failing in the Caulfield Cup and Champions Stakes (2000m). Stable said he wasn’t ready first-up and he flopped badly on the bottomless track in the Hollindale. Tongue tie on but how do you line him up?

VERDICT: Couldn’t have him but it wouldn’t shock all the same.

Yasss!

A great finish to the G3 Kingston Town Stakes, with Eliyass adding another win to his impressive record! Bring on the Metrop!@clarkyhk | @GaiWaterhouse1pic.twitter.com/NGW067HC04

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 21, 2024

9 – OSIPENKO

Not a prolific winner but he’s come back in great order this preparation. Went to the paddock a winner of the January Cup (2000m) in Sydney before returning with a commendable ninth in the All Aged Stakes (1400m). Then stepped up to the mile last time and was an improved second in the Hawkesbury Gold Cup. Not as well served at weight-for-age but going well and 2000m is a plus.

VERDICT: He’s one for the First4s.

Punch Lane leads all the way in the G3 @hawkesburyrc Gold Cup and wins in style!🏆

That's also a double to @nashhot 💪@FreedmanRacingpic.twitter.com/Axz8K4OZIx

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 3, 2025

10 – KLONDIKE

Former European galloper that is a multiple black-type winner, his biggest success came in the Group 3 Prix De Reux (2500m) at Deauville last August. Was hard in the market in his Australian debut but failed to run up to expectations when only beating one home, beaten more than eight lengths, in the JRA Plate (2000m). Could be a sharp improver, watch market.

VERDICT: Impossible to line up, betting will be your best guide.

Klondike gets the job done!

It's Prix de Reux success for @WilliamHaggas and @CSoumillon, as this four-year-old hits the front and charges home for Group 3 honours... pic.twitter.com/5zanxoX1VP

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 3, 2024

11 – FLOATING – SCRATCHED

12 – PRIDE OF JENNI

One of the best racehorses in the land in recent seasons. She arrives here the winner of two from three this preparation, first-up in the Peter Young Stakes (1800m) and then last start in the Anniversary Vase (1600m) where she lumped 61kg at Caulfield. Well served at weight-for-age, she’ll give them something to catch.

VERDICT: At her best she wins but she’s been a bit hit-or-miss this season.

SHE'S BACK! 😍

Pride Of Jenni is back to her best with a win in the Anniversary Vase at Caulfield!

Bring on the Doomben Cup. @cmaherracing@craig_newittpic.twitter.com/FeVdpHa34V

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) May 3, 2025

13 – MISS JOELENE

Local mare that has a good record at Doomben but this is by far the hardest race she’s ever contested. Won The Wave over 1800m back in January and she was Group 1-placed at three in the Queensland Oaks (2200m). Lands here off a solid fourth in the Hollindale Stakes, although beaten more than six lengths.

VERDICT: This looks too rich.

Tenzing wins the Brisbane Mile! A great @Reganbayliss ride for @tonygollan. pic.twitter.com/VSIOdGYJ5Z

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 26, 2025

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CLINTON PAYNE’S DOOMBEN 10,000 TIPS
1st – MY OBERON (No. 6)
2nd – FAWKNER PARK (No. 3)
3rd – ANTINO (No. 1)
4th – PRIDE OF JENNI (No. 12)

Originally published as 2025 Doomben Cup runner-by-runner form assessments and $26 on top tip