Defending champion Redzel goes up against old TJ Smith Stakes (2018) challenger In Her Time in the Doomben 10,000 headlining Queensland’s Winter Racing Carnival. Although its been a long time since Falvelon won the race successively in (2001-02) co-trainer Peter Snowden was more than pleased with the midfield barrier six draw and Redzel's current conditioning. “I’m very happy with his draw and he’s as good if not a bit better than last year,” Snowden told Racing Queensland.
“He only just got beaten in the T J Smith and he’s been racing in much stronger company than last year when he was still going through the grades.”
Redzel has had a good start to this year. The Snitzel colt ran a first-up second behind Flemington specialist Redkirk Warrior in the Gr. 1 Black Caviar Lightning in February 2018. Later he enjoyed a confidence boosting win in Sydney’s Gr.2 Challenge Stakes (1000m) before returning to Randwick a month later to go down again, this time by two lengths behind super 3YO Trapeze Artist in the Gr. 1 TJ Smith Stakes.
He will be racing here in Doomben after a month’s gap and he looks prepped for the race.
His nemesis, Ben Smith trained-In her time (Time Thief - Hell It's Hot by Zeditave) gave him a run for his money in the TJ Smith Stakes. She was just two lengths behind the first-ever Everest winner. Although she hasn't had much luck in Brisbane earlier, trainer Smith is confident the track suits her speed and with dual Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Corey Brown riding her, she stands a good chance of finishing in the top three.
In Her Time is by the former Darley Australia-based stallion, Time Thief, who is the sire of four stakes winners including recent Listed Miss Andretti Stakes winner Volkoff. Again, Time Thief is out of stakes winning Redoute’s Choice.
In Her Time is the sixth foal of Zeditave mare, Hell It’s Hot, a multiple winning half sister to Sydney stakes winners Hot As Hell and Flaming Hot, plus Hong Kong black type winner, Craig’s Dragon.
At her best, English would match up well with Redzel and In Her Time but trainer Adrian Bott admitted that Saturday’s Doomben 10,000 is more about finding out if she is still in same league as The Everest-bound sprinters. The mare hasn’t won for more than a year, with her best effort a runners-up behind In Her Time in the Galaxy during the Sydney autumn. Since she ran mid-field without threatening in the TJ Smith however a barrier trial win last week, a good barrier and prospect of a soft track has Bott’s confidence on the rise.
Godolphin's Australian superstar colt Impending is ready to hang up his "racing shoes" after this rumble with old foe Redzel. The Doomben 10,000 will be the perfect final flourish to his already impressive record. Impending has definitely learned a lot from his win in the Gr.2 Victory Stakes (GR2).
Trainer James Cummings is satisfied the four-year-old son of Lonhro has recovered fully from his first-up exertions in the Gr.2 Victory Stakes at the same course two weeks ago and is looking forward to Impending adding the 10,000 to his G1 Stradbroke Handicap victory of 12 months ago. He will be ridden by Damian Browne in his final bow.
Another past Everest contender and multiple Group I winner Le Romain is part of this prestigious field. He was last seen running a gallant second to champion three-year-old colt Trapeze Artist in the Gr. I All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick. Newcastle trainer Kris Lees hopes he has his ducks lined up in this clash of the titans. “He’s not a 1200m Gr.1 horse but if he gets the soft track and a break-neck speed then he’s in with a chance.” said the trainer.
Top Queensland three-year-old filly and yet another Everest (2017) contender, Houtzen will defend for her state in what has become a fascinating three-state tussle in the Gr.1 sprint.
The 2017 Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner, Houtzen has raced well in her three-year-old season winning the Group Three P J Bell Stakes at Randwick and the Group Three Scarborough Stakes at Moonee Valley.
Houtzen had also been nominated for the Gr.1 Robert Sangster at Morphettville on the same day but trainer Toby Edmond decided to keep her in Queensland given the distance, track and weight for age considerations.
"She will make it interesting,” Edmonds said. “She has pleased us since getting back from Sydney.
Another noteworthy performer is Care To Think trained by Matthew Dunn has showed real talent. His win in the Magic Millions Cup showed us what he is capable of. But this is completely different race and with some good runners. It will be interesting to see how he performs.
We will also see Spieth who was recently transferred over to Lindsay Park team after his dismal performance in 2017 Spring Racing Carnival campaign, Monsieur Gustave who is being trained by Darryl Hansen and Burning Passion who come in this race with a narrow win in the Hall Mark Stakes.
The winner of the Australia Stakes, Thronum who is being trained by David & Ben Hayes & T Dabernig is also be a highlight of the race card, but it will be difficult for him to get past Redzel with his current form and conditioning. Lucky Hussler, another horse in the race did win the Crystal Mile but we hope he still has some fire left in him. It seems his best days are past him.
Dual-hemisphere Gr.1 winning Choisir colt makes up the final field of 14 in the Doomben 10,000. The Mission has not won a race since his Champagne Stakes victory (2017). But he wasn’t disgraced against the older horses when running fifth in both the Gr. I The Galaxy and Gr. I T J Smith Stakes in 2018.
All in all this should be an interesting watch.
With heavyweight Trapeze Artist not in the running Redzel has a good chance of beating the field. Only "time" will tell whether he succeeds or not.
Burning Passion, Care to Think , English , Houtzen , Impending, In Her Time , Le Romain , Lucky Hussler , Monsieur Gustave, Most Important, Redzel , Spieth , The Mission , Thronum,
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By Apurva Chavan, Racing Writer, apurva.chavan@secretariatsworld.com