Weekly preview / Andy Morris / 13 May 2009 / Leave a comment Bet Now

David Attenborough would be fascinated. The great Australian migration period has begun and the extraordinary ability to find traditional nests and feeding places close to water never ceases to amaze professional and amateur naturalists alike.

That the nests are named Doomben and Eagle Farm racecourses and are located a short drive north of some of the best surf beaches in the world makes it all the more fascinating.

Migration is usually associated with a period of birth and reproduction but on Saturday the chance to win a slice of the $500,000 XXXX Gold Doomben Cup (G1) is good enough reason to travel north.

One of the great natives of Queensland - the Peter Moody - has a couple of members of his flock ready to feast on the rich harvest.

Fresh from winning the WA Derby at Ascot in Perth just 7 days ago Marcus Maximus has made an epic journey and will take on the 'big boys' which include Racing To Win, Triple Honour, Douro Valley, Scenic Shot and Fullmonti. There are a couple of fair 'big girl's' too in kiwi Veloce Bella, Bernicia and the filly Miss Darcey.

Some people generally rate the Doomben Cup an 'easy' Group 1 - and yet last year's winner Sarrera is in Singapore for the International Cup this weekend - there are no 'easy' Group 1's.

Of great interest to the hordes of owners in Douro Valley (courtesy of the Racing Australia Syndicate managed by Kristen Manning) is the fact James Winks will be flying in from Hong Kong to take the ride.

Now that sort of migration usually flies in the face of nature! James knows Douro Valley very well - their win in the Group 1 Yalumba Stakes last spring a victory for initiative and courage.

The next few weeks belong to Queensland - the Oaks, 10,000, Straddy, Derby and the Brisbane Cup all worthwhile reasons to hop on a plane and head north.

For me, I'm off to that fine feeding ground where so many of the seasonal visitors congregate - you know the one, located in Racecourse Road, Hamilton Central.