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Doomben Rewind: Nathan Exelby and Ben Dorries look back at winners and losers from Saturday’s Brisbane meeting

THE Courier Mail’s Nathan Exelby and Ben Dorries review Saturday’s BTC Cup meeting, with comments from the beaten division and the big winners.

Rudy (outside) and Jumbo Prince dead-heat the sixth at Doomben. Picture: Jono Searle
Rudy (outside) and Jumbo Prince dead-heat the sixth at Doomben. Picture: Jono Searle

THE Courier Mail’s Nathan Exelby and Ben Dorries review Saturday’s BTC Cup meeting at Doomben, with comments from the beaten division and the big winners.

Race 1

HAVING to revert to a back-up plan delivered the goods again for Stuart Kendrick and connections of Divine Centuri.

Kendrick was forced to scratch from last week’s Gold Coast Guineas after the filly drew barrier 20.

“I am certain she will run 1200m and even a solid 1350m and 1400m because she wants to relax and switch off,” Kendrick said.

Kendrick said he will go to a 1200m race in two weeks, after originally wanting to stretch to next week’s 1350m Fred Best Classic.

Wicked Intent ran well after taking a sit behind the leading trio.

“Coming to the turn I had a lap full of horse but when I set out after the leader I could just feel him trying to pick up under the big weight and he couldn’t bridge the gap,” Luke Dittman said.

THE BETTING

Backed in all week from her opening quote of $4.60, Divine Centuri drifted late to $3.70, but was the worst way for the UBET book by a space, accounting for one third of the hold on the race.

Drumbeat’s Choice was a good go late, from $17 to $10.

Big Bets: Divine Centuri $2000 @ $4.60 & $2000 @ $4.00

Drumbeats Choice $1700 @ $17 & $1000 @ $14

Race 2

SONY Legend wasn’t initially going to run at Doomben but gave bookmakers a good result when he bounded back to form.

Punters thought the Class Six 1110m Plate would be a two-horse war between favourite Another Whiskey and the sensationally backed Freeze The Charges which firmed from $8.50 into as a short as $3.20.

But Brian Smith’s galloper burnt holes in plenty of wallets when he pounced from the back of the field, storming home off a fast pace.

The only reason he was running at Doomben was there were six scratchings in the race during the week.

Sonny Legend and Invitations duel for superiority down the Doomben straight. Beckham (left) digs in for the fight. Picture: Grant Peters, Trackside Photography
Sonny Legend and Invitations duel for superiority down the Doomben straight. Beckham (left) digs in for the fight. Picture: Grant Peters, Trackside Photography

“We were going to go to the Gold Coast today, or even look at running at Ipswich next week, but I couldn’t believe it during the week when six horses pulled out,’’ Smith said.

“If you are not in it, you can’t win it.

“He has had no luck lately because he needs the pace on in his races, otherwise he does a few things wrong.’’

Smith paid tribute to Paul Hammersley for an ice-cool ride, not panicking when he settled well off the leaders.

Steele Ryan indicated Another Whiskey would now be spelled.

Race 3

The winning sequence of Elegant Composure came to a close when she was edged into fourth place behind Pins stallion Beckham.

“She certainly didn’t disgrace herself but they (the winner/placegetters) just got it too soft. I thought she raced well and was certainly brave, the others just had it too easy. I don’t think she should lose any admirers from that,” jockey Jim Byrne said of Elegant Composure, who accounted for 50 cents in every dollar bet with UBET.

Beckham (left) digs in for a fight in the third. Picture: Grant Peters, Trackside Photography
Beckham (left) digs in for a fight in the third. Picture: Grant Peters, Trackside Photography

Race 6

As southern invaders pinch Winter Carnival spoils, the Queenslanders enjoyed a moment in the sun with a local dead-heat.

Jumbo Prince looked like he was set to soar back into the winner’s circle before Rudy flew late in the Members Handicap at Doomben.

Jumbo Price’s trainer Michael Nolan initially thought he had been pipped on the post and so did jockey Jim Byrne.

“Rudy has got such a big head on him, I thought he had got me for sure,’’ Byrne said.

“But I’m pretty happy with that result, I will certainly take half a win.’’

Rudy’s trainer Helen Page was stoked with the galloper’s run and indicated next month’s Brisbane Cup is on the agenda.

“That was a real Rudy type run today, he didn’t have any favours,’’ Page said.

“We were three-deep all the way and had topweight. We had to take off a long way from home to be in the finish.

“I’m delighted with him and he has shown he can still do it. Watch out for him in the Brisbane Cup.’’

Couldn’t split them: Rudy (outside) and Jumbo Prince dead-heat. Picture: Jono Searle
Couldn’t split them: Rudy (outside) and Jumbo Prince dead-heat. Picture: Jono Searle

Originally published as Doomben Rewind: Nathan Exelby and Ben Dorries look back at winners and losers from Saturday’s Brisbane meeting

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/superracing/qld-racing/doomben-rewind-nathan-exelby-and-ben-dorries-look-back-at-winners-and-losers-from-saturdays-brisbane-meeting/news-story/93c7107e5fa7857167c0123b0aaaf3a0