Ilovethiscity will not be the only three-year-old to have his Doncaster Mile prospects assessed in a traditional weight-for-age lead-up at Rosehill on Saturday.
While the Randwick Guineas winner has been backed to win the George Ryder Stakes, there will also be a Doncaster focus on Darley runner Skilled.
Little separated Ilovethiscity and Skilled in the Randwick Guineas and a George Ryder win by either would confirm their ranking as a lightweight Doncaster threat to top mare More Joyous.
“It’s a good test at weight-for-age and we’ll get a real good idea on how he is going against older horses,” Skilled’s jockey Kerrin McEvoy said.
“He’s got that ruggedness and toughness to be able to handle the hustle and bustle of a quickly-run Doncaster.”
With one eye on the Doncaster, McEvoy expects a “top four finish” on Saturday from Skilled, a $13 chance in first TAB Sportsbet markets.
“I’d like to think he’d be even better suited on a big track like Randwick,” he said.
Skilled had a Doncaster Mile start confirmed after he was beaten a half-neck by Ilovethiscity in the Group One Randwick Guineas.
He was considered an unlucky runner after being held in a pocket by the winner until late in the straight.
George Ryder favouritism belongs to last-start Group One winner Aloha.
The Melbourne-trained mare triumphed in the Coolmore Classic over the George Ryder distance of 1500m and heads a wide market at $4.80 with Ilovethiscity at $8.
AAP TURF
