The West Australian Derby winner Markus Maximus (NZ) (Pentire) will be given the opportunity to scalp a second Gr.1 title at Doomben on Saturday, when he steps out in XXXX Gold Doomben Cup (2020m).Markus Maximus (NZ) landed in Brisbane from Peter Moody's Melbourne stable last week with the Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 6 his chief objective. However the son of Pentire has thrived so much in his work since his arrival in the Sunshine State that Moody has decided to add the Gr.1 D
The West Australian Derby winner Markus Maximus (NZ) (Pentire) will be given the opportunity to scalp a second Gr.1 title at Doomben on Saturday, when he steps out in XXXX Gold Doomben Cup (2020m).
Markus Maximus (NZ) landed in Brisbane from Peter Moody's Melbourne stable last week with the Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 6 his chief objective. However the son of Pentire has thrived so much in his work since his arrival in the Sunshine State that Moody has decided to add the Gr.1 Doomben Cup to his three-year-old campaign schedule.
"He had a week in the paddock after Perth and since being here in Brisbane he has just thrived," reported Moody.
Markus Maximus (NZ), who counts three wins and three placings from six career outings, will be ridden by his WATC Derby winning pilot Luke Nolan, and will jump from a favourable barrier of 7.
The Chris Waller-trained Triple Honour (NZ) (Honours List), the winner of the 2008 Gr.1 Doncaster Handicap, has been installed the $6 favourite by TAB Sportsbet to win Saturday's Gr.1 feature. The proven six-win galloper was a late nomination for the race following a strong effort to finish 1.3 lengths behind Pompeii Ruler in the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick on April 25. Out to claim a remarkable 17th Gr.1 win in Australia this season, the New Zealand breeding industry receives further representation in the weight-for-age feature courtesy of the six-time Gr.1 winner Sir Slick (NZ), the last start Gr.2 Hollindale Stakes victor Fulmonti (NZ), the Bart Cummings-trained High Cee (NZ), and the proven group performed mares Mirkola Lass (NZ) and Veloce Bella (NZ).
Stand Tall (NZ), Izonit (NZ) and Zazabeau (NZ) remain on the ballot.
Looking at the history of NZ bred success in the Doomben Cup, it is hard to go past the efforts of freakish New Zealand galloper Rough Habit (NZ) who captured the imagination of Queensland racing crowds in the 1990s winning two Stradbrokes, two Southport Cups, a Queensland Derby and a record three successive Doomben Cups from 1991 to 1993 after being placed in 1990 at his first attempt.(NZ Thoroughbred News)