Doomben WFA Field Oozes Class

In what is likely to be the final race starts for mares Melody Belle (Commands-Meleka Bell, by Iffraaj) and Nettoyer (Sebring-Cleanup, by Dehere), Saturday's Gr1 Doomben Cup (2000m) is made up of an exciting field of 12 runners, of which seven have won a collective 26 individual Group 1 races. They are headlined by Champion New Zealand mare Melody Belle whose elite level haul sits at 14, a staggering number for the 6YO mare who has only had 40 starts. Dual Group 1 winner Sir Dragonet (Camelot-Sparrow, by Oasis Dream) will be ridden by his regular rider Glen Boss, with the Cox Plate winner looking to improve on his last start 1.75-length fifth behind Addeybb (Pivotal) in the Gr1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, a race in which All Star Mile victor Mugatoo (Henrythenavigator-Elopa, by Tiger Hill) finished sixth. The most intriguing runner in the race is the Annabel Neasham-trained Zaaki (Leroidesanimaux-Kesara, by Saddler's Wells) who burst onto the Australian scene just three runs ago and, after his impressive 2.25-length win in the Gr2 Hollindale Stakes over 1800m at the Gold Coast last start, it is no surprise to see the gelding having opened up as $2.80 favourite when markets were released by Unibet.

Mugatoo is part of a fabulous field (pic: Steve Hart)