Doomben

On Saturday at Doomben, Kiwi gelding The Hombre was decided the winner after a protest at Doomben in the $125,000 Group 3 Rough Habit Plate (2020m), as part of the excitement of the opening Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival meeting.

Trained by John Bary in Hastings, New Zealand, The Hombre ($5.50) won on protest from Tee Emar ($5). The Peter Moody-trained Tee Emar was actually first past the post by a mere short neck, but was named the runner-up following the stewards upholding a protest by The Hombre’s connections.

Mossman colt Tee Emar, ridden by Luke Nolen, was found to have made contact with The Hombre at the 250m mark after moving about the field, causing interference and costing the Kiwi the win.

Meanwhile Kelly Doughty’s Group 3 Doomben Classic winner Sanderson ($10) was in third one and a half lengths away after working strongly to come from the back of the field out wide, and the odds-on favourite Blueys Way ($3) was not disgraced running a solid fourth in just his fifth race start.

The Hombre was ridden by Jonathan Riddell, a jumps jockey in New Zealand, who showed his diversity winning in only his second Australian flat race.

A three-year-old Lucky Owners gelding, The Hombre has now won four of his 10 career starts for just over $126,220 in prizemoney.

The Hombre is in preparations for the $500,000 Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 12, for which he is now the $5.50 favourite through IASbet following his win in the Rough Habit.

The big drawcard at Doomben on Saturday was the $400,000 Group 1 BTC Cup (1200m) where Queensland roughie Albert The Fat beat home a classy field of rivals including runner-up Melito.

Other great racing action included the $100,000 Group 3 Chairman’s Handicap (2020m) where another Kiwi, Crossthestart, was victorious.

Punters who bet with IASbet secured some of the biggest winning payouts. Make sure you get the most out of your wagering dollar for the next big race by betting with IASbet.

2010 Rough Habit Plate Results: