Eighteen horses will take their place in the the 1600m championship Australasia, the $2 million Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) on Saturday with More Joyous set to be the shortest price favourite in this race since the mighty mare Sunline won the 2002 edition over Shogun Lodge.
1. More Joyous
Australia’s second best mare. It has been two years since she tasted defeat in Sydney and her only blemish in her past dozen starts was a gallant fifth behind So You Think in the Cox Plate. She has toyed with her rivals this preparation and although this is the toughest test she has faced for a while, with normal luck she’ll be winning here and giving Gai a record seven win in this race, equalling the record her father holds.
2. Danleigh
Pace of the race was against him in the George Ryder when finishing behind Rangirandoo. Personally I don’t think he will run a strong mile to be counted as a serious winning hope. He has struggled before in the big mile races and it will be a repeat here.
3. Wall Street
Very ordinary run in the George Ryder after running two excellent seconds in NZ. He did win the Emirates Stakes last year but the depth in that race was thin. He has the talent to win but he would need to improve many lengths to feature here.
4. Captain Sonador
Epsom Handicap winner from last year. I didn’t mind his run in the George Ryder when he was making up ground late. He’ll get back and might be a shade below these but if the pace is on, look out for him. A first four hope.
5. Dao Dao
The barrier (18) has made it near impossible for him to win. A bit disappointing in the George Ryder but I don’t think WFA is his go so he’ll be better off here but Dwayne Dunn will need to weave some magic for this horse to be in the finish.
6. Centennial Park
Didn’t think he was a miler but he has surprised me at his past two runs in the Chipping Norton and George Ryder. If the track was a bog surface, I’d have him right near the top, but the class as well as the barrier (16) makes it hard. A rough first four chance.
7. Love Conquers All
Took a star in Rangirandoo to get past him in the George Ryder. He cost himself the race by laying in. He’ll press forward and give a great sight, but the last 100m will be the telling factor. If he gets a soft run, he can definitely cause some problems.
8. Sacred Choice
Really struggled in the Ranvet after a superb run in the Chipping Norton. Back on a firmer surface will spark improvement from her and the drop back to a mile is right up her alley. If there is to be a knockout horse, this mare is it.
9. Aloha
Loomed up to win the George Ryder but WFA got to her in the final 100m and she finished fourth, beaten 0.6 lengths. Drawn ok in barrier eleven, has plenty of upside, and Bossy has a brilliant record in this race, having won on several occasions. Big threat.
10. Ilovethiscity
The only three-year-old in the race, which is surprising given the amazing record three-year-olds have in this race. Was very game in the George Ryder and drops to 51.5kg. He has been up for a while, is he fresh enough to topple these? First four chance with luck.
11. Triple Elegance
Another knockout horse. Travelled so well in the George Ryder and was just pipped on the line. He is an up and comer who looks beautifully placed here. Cassidy is dropping to 51.5kg which is easy ask for him so the effort he is putting in to ride at the weight tells me that he thinks this horse can run a massive race.
12. Palacio De Crystal
Was even behind More Joyous last start when battling away strongly on the worst part of the track. She is another that worries me because with the right run, she can win, but it’s a matter of keeping on following her because she’ll win a good race.
13. Pureness
Very tradesmen like in his Ajax win last start after missing the start. He was very dominant on the line and the rise to 1600m won’t be an issue. He should sit near the speed and on the limit, he can certainly play a role here.
14. Bold Glance
Probably should have won the Doncaster Prelude last Saturday after being trapped wide throughout. Draw beautifully here and Scott Seamer again is riding. Sure, his form is zilch compared to some others, but his last start effort keeps him in contention.
15. Brilliant Light
Was a big chance in this race last year but he has been off ever since. No.
16. Keepin’ The Dream
Was always rearward in the George Ryder and that will be the case here.
17. Syreon
He’ll run it out strongly, but he lacks the class.
18. Happy Hippy
Caught the eye in the Queen Of The Turf when making up good ground on the inside. A rough exotic contender maybe?
Selections: More Joyous on top. She is beautifully weighted when you consider her record. Drawn well, on her home track, not that much depth…she looks the winner. Aloha for second. Has really come of age in the past six months and is a serious contender here. Look for her to be near the front and kicking on. Triple Elegance is a lovely type that is on the up and is weighted perfectly while Sacred Choice will be rocketing home if they want to go made up front.
Written by Adam Page
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