The Tattersall’s Tiara meeting will be held at Doomben on Saturday. The course proper was rated a Good 4 on Thursday and with mainly fine weather in Brisbane leading up to the weekend, Doomben will be racing on a Good track on raceday.
Ipswich Cup winner Tradesman will once again be the horse to beat in the Tattersall’s Cup on Saturday (Brisbane Race 6, 2200m). This Darren Weir-trained 6YO has been in great form this Winter running 2nd in the weight-for-age P.J. O’Shea Stakes two starts back to that good mare Egg Tart. And he took out the Ipswich Cup last start over this trip in impressive fashion. Tradesman can take up a position in transit and has drawn nicely in barrier 3, Blake Shinn will settle in a nice spot just behind the pace. Tradesman looks hard to beat.
The Weir stable has another top chance in Ulmann in the G.H. Mumm (Brisbane Race 7, 1615m). The Sebring gelding has been racing consistently through the Winter carnival without winning. Ulmann was a bit unlucky last start over this track and trip when having to shift in to gain clear running after being held up at the home turn, eventually finishing 2nd beaten only by a head on the line. He is versatile in that he can settle anywhere in transit. Beautifully drawn in barrier 4, expect another big performance from Ulmann.
Bjorn Baker-trained Champagne Cuddles can make amend from her last start defeat by taking out the Tattersall’s Club Tiara on Saturday (Brisbane Race 8, 1350m). The 3YO filly started off this campaign with victory in the Gold Coast Guineas followed by two Group 1 placings over this track & trip in the Kingsford-Smith Cup & Stradbroke Handicap. The Baker stable has reported that the filly has pulled up well from the Stradbroke and has continued to thrive. From gate 4, Corey Brown can take up a position just behind the leaders and Champagne Cuddles is all set to win the last Group 1 race of the season.
By Owens Wong, Editor
