2025 Doomben Cup calling for Banker’s Choice

Lindsay Park’s staying prospect Banker’s Choice is being prepared for a Queensland campaign that will likely serve as a springboard into the Caulfield Cup. Although nominated for Saturday’s Doomben Cup (2000m), the Group 1 race is expected to be bypassed.

After claiming the Mornington Cup last month and securing automatic entry into the Caulfield Cup, Banker’s Choice was briefly considered for the Andrew Ramsden, but the stable opted for a northern route instead.

“We were going to run in the Andrew Ramsden, but then we had a discussion with the whole team,” Ben Hayes said.

“He’s qualified for the Caulfield Cup, so we thought we’d go up to Queensland instead.

“There are some nice options up there for him. There’s the Q22, there are some good set-weights and penalties races.”

The stable will make a final decision on the Doomben Cup entry, but Hayes suggested the more likely path is to run in the Group 3 Lord Mayor’s Cup next week, then the Group 2 Q22 (2200m) at Eagle Farm.

“He’s nominated in the Doomben Cup. We’ll have a look at the race and weigh everything up, but he’ll potentially run a week later,” Hayes said.

“There’s an 1800-metre race, and then we can go into the Q22 and then we’ll aim him at the Caulfield Cup, just like they did with Without A Fight.”

Banker’s Choice has joined the Hayes stable in excellent condition and has settled in quickly following his transfer from Mike Moroney and Glen Thompson.

“He’s already in the Caulfield Cup and everything will be planned towards heading to that race,” Hayes said.

“We’ll look at giving him a bit of a freshen up there, if it ever stops raining, and then he’d probably do the weight-for-age path into the Caulfield Cup.

“He’s a very straight-forward horse and he arrived to us in great order.

“Fingers crossed. It’s a great opportunity.”

To follow Banker’s Choice through his Queensland and spring campaigns, head to Australia’s most trusted betting sites for the latest markets and odds.