Doomben Tips

Located on Australia’s famous Gold Coast, Doomben Racecourse is one of two horse racing tracks in Brisbane, the other being Eagle Farm. Fittingly, Doomben is located in a town called Ascot, named in reference to Ascot, England, and its prestigious Ascot Racecourse. Each year the course stages the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival and the Brisbane Summer Racing Carnival in which they host a number of Group 1 races including the Doomben 10,000 and Doomben Cup.

Doomben race track is home to the Brisbane Racing Club and is located about 7 kilometers from the Brisbane city center and has been home to racing there since 1933. It is also referred to as the ‘Garden’ course due to the picturesque gardens surrounding around the track. A new modern drainage system was installed in 1866, which provides excellent drainage when the track receives heavy rains.

Doomben Race Course History

The racecourse dates back to 1933 but was shut down during World War Two when it was used as a base for allied troops during the Pacific War. The course was reopened in 1946, and it was then that both the TM Ahern Cup and the Doomben Cup were held for the very first time. Today, the Doomben Cup is considered to be one of the best middle-distance races in Australia.

In 1982, Doomben underwent a major upgrade to its facilities which now match those anywhere else in the world. Many people refer to Doomben as the ‘Garden Racecourse’ because of its picturesque gardens that surround the course.

Possibly the finest Aussie horse of all time, Bernborough, won here in 1946 when he took down his inaugural Doomben Cup on his way to 15 consecutive victories. He also scooped the Doomben 10,000 in 1946 for good measure.

Race Course Configuration and Track Bias

• 1,715 meters, right handed
• 341 meter straight
• Clockwise

The Doomben track is a right-handed oval course with a circumference of 1715 meters. There are three interlocking tracks of various lengths – 1350 meters, 1615, and 2200 meters – that comprise this distance. The straight here is 341 meters with the width by the winning post stretching to 26.4 meters. Doomben is a turf track with tight turns and steep cambers before and after the straight.

There is a double sweeping turn at the east and west end of the course which is famous for causing havoc among outside runners. As a consequence, front runners are known to have an advantage, although it is possible to make up ground late in longer distance events. A low draw is helpful, but luck in running is even more important, and big priced winners are not unknown.

Doomben Racing Season

Doomben, known as The Garden Racecourse, is home to the Brisbane Racing Club and hosts around 46 meetings a year with events each month. There are 24 weekend race meets, 20 midweek and a further two taking place on public holidays. Among the events that punters look forward to are the  Brisbane festivals, with one each taking place in both the summer and the winter.

During May, Doomben hosts three major Group 1 events starting with the $400,000 BTC Cup, the 2020 meter Doomben Cup which is worth half a million dollars in prize money, and the Doomben 10,000 which is worth $650,000. Apart from these, Doomben also hosts the Group 3 George Moore Stakes in December which is a 1200 meter Quality Handicap.

Graded Stakes

Doomben 10,000

Doomben Cup

BTC Cup

George Moore Stakes

Doomben Race Course Address

75 Hampden St, Ascot QLD 4007, Australia
https://www.brc.com.au/

Doomben Best Jockeys and Trainers

Doomben has the luxury of attracting some of Queensland’s top trainers, many of which also race their thoroughbreds at nearby Eagle Farm too. Hosting events across the year, including major festivals in both the summer and the winter, trainers have many opportunities to test their horses at the beautiful Doomben course.

Some trainers have a higher success rate than others at the track, and there are a number of names to keep an eye on at any upcoming meetings.

Jockeys have always been quite vocal about how Doomben is one of their favorite tracks and with good reason too. Known as the garden course, Doomben is set in a great location for everyone involved, jockeys, trainers, fans and, of course, the horses too. Of course, it helps that this is also the some of three Group 1 races, the likes of which jockeys will train their entire careers to compete in.