The Doncaster Mile changed complexion on Thursday with three early scratchings and ongoing uncertainty over whether More Joyous will run.
Rekindled Interest, King’s Rose and Single have all been withdrawn, paving the way for emergencies Happy Trails and All Legal to start.
Connections of More Joyous are expected to decide on Saturday morning whether she takes her place with owner John Singleton reluctant to send her around on a very heavy track.
Randwick was a heavy (9) on Thursday but rain is predicted to ease.
One trainer not overly fazed by the wet is Matthew Smith.
He will saddle up Hurtle Myrtle who has won her only start in the heavy and been placed at two runs on slow ground.
The mare comes into Saturday’s Doncaster Mile (1600m) with similar credentials to last year’s winner Sacred Choice, who also won the Myer Classic in the preceding spring.
While Hurtle Myrtle has done the bulk of her racing against her own sex, Smith feels she is finally seasoned enough to take on the boys at Group One level.
“It’s a hard race but the timing is right for her,” Smith said.
“She’s more mature now. I’ve kept her against the mares purely because she was a bit immature and she wasn’t ready for open company.
“But first-up last preparation she was second in a sprint race against the boys and it was quite a good run.
“Doncasters are hard to win but I’m happy to be there with no weight (53kg) and she likes wet tracks.”
Smith has moulded Hurtle Myrtle’s autumn campaign on her spring preparation when she defeated Sacred Choice to claim the Myer Classic third-up.
She will tackle the Doncaster at her third start this campaign and Smith has been pleased with both her recent runs.
She was a first-up ninth to More Joyous in the Canterbury Stakes (1300m) and fourth to the same mare in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1500m).
“I experimented last time by not giving her too many runs because she seems to run well fresh,” Smith said.
“Not having a long preparation suits her so I’ve stuck to that plan.”
Damien Oliver has been Hurtle Myrtle’s regular rider of late but given her light weight, he will partner rival Wall Street on Saturday.
Glyn Schofield has picked up the Doncaster mount and knows tha mare having ridden her twice last preparation.
Hurtle Myrtle was at $11 with TAB Sportsbet following Thursday’s scratchings with More Joyous holding sway as the $5.50 favourite, just ahead of Secret Admirer at $6.
The two emergencies who gained a start are at long odds with Happy Trails a $41 chance and All Legal at $151.
