Weir Duo Need To Impress In Doriemus Handicap

Trainer Darren Weir has both Akzar and Tooleybuc Kid in the 2015 Doriemus Handicap at Flemington tomorrow and he has revealed that both horses need to impress to continue on a path to the Group 2 Adelaide Cup (3200m) and the Group 3 Hobart Cup (2400m) respectively.

Akzar has the chance to return to winning form in the Doriemus Handicap at Flemington this weekend. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Akzar has the chance to return to winning form in the Doriemus Handicap at Flemington this weekend. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Akzar showed that he was capable of competing at the highest level of racing when he finished fourth in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) during the 2014 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival and he has produced two solid performances in the Listed Master Yearlings Stakes (1600m) and Comedy King Handicap (1600m) since returning to the races.

Weir told Racing Ahead that Akzar is on a path towards the Adelaide Cup at Morphettville on March 9 and he is expecting the veteran gelding to go close to winning in the Doriemus Handicap at Flemington this weekend.

“I would be disappointed if he doesn’t run well,” Weir said.

“He is in great order and I guess he needs to run well if he is going to follow an Adelaide Cup path.

“I know that it is still a while away, but he needs to be running well to continue down that path.”

Tooleybuc Kid has performed fairly without winning in three race starts since returning to racing at Warrnambool in December last year and Weir is hoping that the Denon gelding can make the trip to Tasmania for the Group 3 Hobart Cup (2400m) on February 9.

The five-year-old worked home fairly when he finished fifth behind stablemate Taiyoo in the Piping Lane Handicap (2000m) at Flemington on January 17 and he is confident that the tough galloper can produced an even better performance in the Doriemus Handicap tomorrow.

“He probably just peaked on his run late and he is a horse that has just sort of been aimed towards the Hobart Cup,” Weir said.

“I guess he has to be running well on Saturday to deserve his trip nine days later.

“He is drawn pretty well and is well-weighted, so I don’t think that he would get too far back.”

Akzar is currently a clear favourite in the 2015 Doriemus Handicap betting markets with Ladbrokes Australia at a quote of $2.80 from the consistent Extra Zero ($5.50), Adelaide Cup hopeful Averau ($5.50), Tooleybuc Kid ($7) and Chris Waller-trained Fulgur ($9).

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.