THE 154TH DONCASTER MILE
* The world’s richest Group One mile (1600m) handicap worth $3 million.
HISTORY
* Highlight of first day of The Championships at Randwick.
* First run in 1866 when it was won by Dundee and has since been won by many of the finest horses to grace the Australian turf.
* Named after the famous racecourse in England’s north.
* Regarded as Australia’s premier mile race, past winners include Wakeful (1901), Chatham (1934), Hall Mark (1935), Fine And Dandy (1961, 1963), Time And Tide (1965), Tobin Bronze (1967), Gunsynd (1972), Emancipation (1983), Super Impose (1990-91), Sunline (1999, 2002), More Joyous (2012) and Winx (2016).
* The late TJ Smith and his daughter Gai Waterhouse are the most successful trainers having each won seven times.
* Six horses have won back-to-back Doncasters: Mildura (1940-41), Blue Legend (1946-47), Slogan II (1956-57), Tudor Hill (1959-60), Super Impose (1990-91) and Pharaoh (1994-95), Sacred Falls (2013-14).
* The fastest recorded time is 1:33.7 by Belmura Lad in 1979.
TALKING POINTS:
* Chris Waller is looking to join TJ Smith and Gai Waterhouse with seven wins as trainer. He has won with Winx (2016), Kermadec (2015), Sacred Falls (2013-14), Rangirangdoo (2010) and Triple Honour (2008).
* Waller has already made history with the first four home in 2014 – Sacred Falls, Royal Descent, Weary and Hawkspur.
* Waller has four runners this year – Shillelagh, Unforgotten, Life Less Ordinary and I Am Serious.
* There are two three-year-olds in the field – George Ryder Stakes runner-up Brutal and the filly Fundamentalist. Three-year-olds have a strong modern day record having won five of the past 12.
* Gai Waterhouse is aiming to become the first trainer to win eight editions with Siege Of Quebec.
* Japanese Group Two winner Kluger is the only international runner in this year’s race.
* Patrick Payne rode Soho Square to win in 1992. This year he trains Widgee Turf.
WHAT CONNECTIONS ARE SAYING
“Her first-up run was brilliant and she has some good form around the right horses from last preparation” – Chris Waller on I Am Serious, one of four runners from his all-conquering stable.
“We thought the grass here would suit him better than in Japan. He doesn’t mind wet ground. He’s working well and has no issues so we’re hoping he goes well” – Tomokazu Takano on Japanese runner Kluger.
“It’s a very prestigious race and to win it as a rider was fantastic. To win it as a trainer would be even better” – Widgee Turf’s trainer Patrick Payne.
