Racing: Leebaz earns another crack at Doomben Cup

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Underrated gelding Leebaz earned a chance to atone in next month's Doomben Cup with his dogged win at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Leebaz ($8) was first emergency for the Hollindale Stakes but gained a start when Victorian galloper Banca Mo was scratched.

Jockey Jim Byrne made the most of the chance with a clever ride to steer Leebaz home by a head to Sir Moments ($9) with 1 lengths to I'm Imposing ($14).

Leebaz ran second to the good-quality mare Streama in last year's Doomben Cup and is a tougher horse this year.

The Zabeel gelding is trained by the Hawkes training partnership and co-trainer Michael Hawkes said Leebaz would press on to go one better at Doomben.

"He is an underestimated horse in a lot of ways," Hawkes said.

"His run in the Doncaster at his last when he finished 11th was a lot better than it looked and then he was placed at Randwick at his next start.

"All the way along the Doomben Cup has been his mission."

Byrne said the race had turned out as planned when he was able to sit on the leader until the home turn.

"He showed a lot of heart in the straight when Sir Moments came at him."

Favourite Silent Achiever ($6) finished eighth and was never a winning chance.

— AAP