There may only be six runners in the 2017 PJ O’Shea Stakes field this weekend at Doomben Racecourse but there’s still a Group 2 trifecta to tip for the Queensland Oaks Day support act.
Rudy is the Races.com.au tip to win the 2017 PJ O’Shea Stakes at Doomben Racecourse this weekend on Queensland Oaks Day. Photo: Daniel Costello.
Set to run as Doomben Race 4 at 2:00pm (AEST) after the move from Eagle Farm, this season’s $200,000 Group 2 PJ O’Shea Stakes (2200m) replaces the race formerly known as the Eagle Farm Cup.
Of the six contenders the shortest priced in the latest PJ O’Shea Stakes odds online at Ladbrokes.com.au paying $3 to take out the weight-for-age feature is former Group 1 winning mare Single Gaze ($3).
Nick Olive’s daughter of Not A Single Doubt is down in class after a brave sixth in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) here on May 20 and she also has winning form at the track from earlier in the season.
Out to stop the mare from returning to winning form include Chris Waller’s retiring four-time Group 1 winner Preferment ($3.60) who early money is coming for in PJ O’Shea Stakes betting and the in-form Darren Weir-trained High Church ($3.70).
So will Single Gaze salute, can Preferment go out a winner or will there be an upset PJ O’Shea Stakes result on Saturday afternoon?
1st
#4 Rudy ($6.50)
Like the price offered on this in-form Helen Page-trained galloper from the Gold Coast who ran a brave third last time out in the Doomben Cup in the wet as a $26 roughie. Down in class and won’t be found at the same price as he looks to win over further than a mile for the first time. No doubt the distance is the test, but he’s a proven weight-for-age performer and loves Doomben (15-5-2-4). In a small field he’s a winning hope.
2nd
#5 Single Gaze ($3)
Plenty of boxes ticked by the favourite in gate three who has been in top form this prep. She posted a black-type Doomben win over a mile in late April before just going down to Doncaster Mile winner It’s Somewhat in the AD Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast. She was out wide in the wet for the Doomben Cup and her sixth, beaten 3.5 lengths, was brave. This is easier. Another tested over 2200m but it’s open and she’s got class proven by the Vinery Stud Stakes win last year.
3rd
#1 Preferment ($3.60)
Waller gives his $3.8 million earner a final run before he heads to the breeding barn. The Zabeel stallion hasn’t won a race since The BMW (2400m) over a year ago, but he’s the class horse in the race and WFA suits. Gate two, Hugh Bowman on and comes off a close fourth two lengths beaten in the Hollindale a month back. One of the best looking at the distance. Huge claims.
Whether you’re backing or sacking our exclusive PJ O’Shea Stakes 2017 tips make sure you lock in the best Doomben racing odds across the Oaks Day card on Saturday at Ladbrokes.com.au.
