Doomben's G1 BTC Cup has hosted some of Australia's most celebrated sprinters in the past, and one that appears to have the ability to reach that level in Saturday's edition is Fell Swoop (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}). Coming off a pair of narrow Group 1 defeats in the Oakleigh Plate and The Galaxy H. earlier this season, the 4-year-old gelding had just the world-beater Chautauqua (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}) in front of him when second in the G1 T J Smith S. at The Championships at Royal Randwick Apr. 2, and bounced back to win the G2 Victory S. over this track-and-trip Apr. 30. Third in the Victory was Artlee (Aus) (Excellent Art {GB}). He hasn't exactly lit up the board this season, but seems to be improving with each start and finished well two weeks ago.
One who does already have a Group 1 win under his girth is Japonisme (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}), last year's G1 Coolmore Stud S. upsetter. The 3-year-old enjoys a four-pound weight-break here and comes in off a win in the G2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint at The Championships Apr. 9. Japonisme held his own in Group 1 company earlier this season, beaten less than a half-length in both the William Reid S. and Black Caviar Lightning S., and 1 1/4 lengths in the Lexus Newmarket H.
Malaguerra (Aus) (Magnus {Aus}) was a disappointing sixth over 1400 metres for the G1 All Aged S. at Randwick Apr. 16, but the 4-year-old gelding had previously won four straight, including the 1200-metre G3 Star Kingdom S. at Rosehill Mar. 26.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
