Australia: Zaaki will be odds-on in Doomben Cup

The Group 1 Doomben Cup at Doomben Racecourse in May 2021 propelled the former British runner Zaaki to the fore of the Australian older horse division.

A year later, Zaaki has maintained that status in the division in advance of a start in Saturday’s $705,000 Doomben Cup at 1 1/4 miles. Since the 2021 Doomben Cup, Zaaki has won six additional stakes.

Trained by Annabel Neasham, Zaaki has won 2 of 4 starts this year, with the wins coming in the $3.69 million All-Star Mile at Moonee Valley on March 19 and the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes at 1 1/8 miles at Gold Coast Racecourse at odds of 1-2 on May 7.

Zaaki figures to be about 1-2 in the Doomben Cup against nine rivals. Jockey James McDonald, who rode Zaaki in the Hollindale, and in five other stakes wins since the beginning of 2021, has the mount.

:: Get free past performances, analysis, and picks for Australian racing

A 7-year-old British-bred gelding, Zaaki is quick enough to lead, but has won from slightly off the pace.

The Doomben Cup is the seventh race on a nine-race program that begins at 9:43 p.m. Eastern or 6:43 p.m. Pacific on Friday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

The Doomben Cup field has two mares, including Polly Grey, who was second in the Hollindale Stakes, beaten three-quarters of a length. A winner of 11 of 41 starts, Polly Grey won the Group 3 Japan Racing Association Cup at 1 1/4 miles at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney on April 16.

Huetor, who was fourth by 3 3/4 lengths in the Hollindale in his group stakes debut, can be a factor from off the pace.

Goodwood Stakes

At Morphettville Racecourse in Adelaide on Saturday, the Southern Hemisphere 3-year-old Extreme Warrior has assumed the role of favorite at 9-2 for the Group 1 Goodwood Stakes at six furlongs following the withdrawal of In the Boat after entries were taken.

In the Boat was found to have a bruised heel after exercise on Thursday, according to reports in the Australian racing media.

Extreme Warrior has won 3 of 7 starts, and won his lone race this year in the Bel Esprit Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs at Caulfield Racecourse on April 23. Jamie Kah was aboard Extreme Warrior at Caulfield and has the mount in the $354,400 Goodwood Stakes, which has a field of 19.

Behemoth, the winner of the Group 1 Memsie Stakes at seven furlongs at Caulfield last August, but winless in four subsequent starts, was the second choice at 6-1 for the Goodwood. This will be the fourth consecutive year the 6-year-old Behemoth has started in the Goodwood. He was second in 2019, fourth in 2020, and seventh last year.

Morphettville has a nine-race program, beginning at 10:02 p.m. Eastern on Friday.