16-05-2025
Mazu chasing Triple Crown's third win in Group 1 Doomben 10,000 on Saturday
Mazu can enhance Triple Crown's remarkable run of success in the Group 1 $1.5 million Doomben 10,000 (1200m) at Doomben on Saturday.
Triple Crown boss Chris Ward revealed his sprinters had finished 'top three in five of the last 10 runnings' of the feature Doomben sprint.
'We have had two wins with Mazu (2022) and Redzel (2017) – Charlie Boy ran a second (2015) and a third (2016) and Mazu also ran third (2023),'' Ward said. 'It would be unreal if Mazu could win it again on Saturday''
The Joe Pride -trained Mazu is at $9.50 in latest TAB Fixed Odds betting for the 10,000 behind favourite Sunshine In Paris at $4.40.
Mazu returns to Doomben in winning form after retaining his 'title' in the Group 3 Hall Mark Stakes at Royal Randwick last start.
With the Doomben track bordering on the heavy range and more showers forecast overnight, Mazu gets his preferred rain-affected track conditions for the feature sprint.
Mazu has won nine races and earned just over $9 million prizemoney during his 36-start career with eight of his wins on slow-heavy tracks.
Mazu makes it back-to-back TAB Hall Mark Stakes! ðŸ'� @PrideRacing | @jamieleekah07 | @aus_turf_club
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 19, 2025
Triple Crown also has the very consistent Firm Agreement as the $4.40 favourite to finally break through for a deserved win in the Group 3 $250,000 Rough Habit Plate (2000m) in the Doomben closer.
Firm Agreement, trained by Annabel and Rob Archibald, has reeled off a hat-trick of second placings this autumn in the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes, Group 1 ATC Australian Derby and Group 3 Frank Packer Plate.
'He has been racing so well and so consistently,'' Ward said.
'It looks likely to be a heavy track and we know he handles that well so hopefully he can get that win.
'He has been bouncing out of his skin and should be hard to beat.''
Miss Hellfire ($18), a stablemate of Firm Agreement, gives Triple Crown representation in the Listed $160,000 Bright Shadow Stakes (1100m).
'This is Miss Hellfire's swan song, she will go to the Magic Millions Broodmare Sale after this race,'' Ward revealed. 'It would be nice if she can have a fairytale finish.''
At the Scone stand-alone meeting, Triple Crown and the Archibald stable also team up with Kujenga in the Listed $200,000 Woodlands Stakes while Kadall is in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1300m).
Ward conceded the barrier draw had made it more difficult for both horses with Kujenga coming out of 15 and Kadall from 11.
'They have both drawn wide, unfortunately, but we feel they are chances,'' Ward said. 'If they get a bit of luck they have the ability to run well.''
