Gr 1 – Doncaster Mile

Is probably the best horse in the field but my word, haven’t the stars alligned against him here. Horrible, horrible draw means he sits wide all the way and he lumps the top weight. Saying that, Jamie Melham rides, he is 3rd up, is in great form, and with clear galloping room down the running he is very smart. Must be included.

Is the form horse at the moment and deserves to be strongly fancied. Firstly, beat all the top hopes at WFA last run over 1500m. And is fitter now. Has drawn perfectly and loves this trip. A lot say the stars are aligning for him. Have in your numbers.

Everything seems to be falling into place. Got too far back in the Gr 1 Ryder over 1500m last start but still made ground late and wasn’t far behind Gringotts and Royal Patronage at the end. That should fit him off perfectly. Previously had won the Gr 1 All-Star Mile from Mr Brightside who has won this race. Should be rattling home.

Japanese visitor who is very fast. In fact, despite being beaten at his past 4 Gr 1 starts, he runs times in defeat that are still better than all of these rivals. However, this is his first Aussie start and the draw is horrendous. I’m not sure how he races but if he gets in and gets cover he can win this.

Awkward draw but he is working towards a win and loves this trip. Is 3rd up and on his day he is on speed and right there at the end. Draw worries though.

Has taken two starts back from a long spell to get right and although 10th to Gringotts last start in the 1500m Gr 1, he was only beaten 4 lengths. Very fit now, grows a leg when it’s wet which he gets here and may sneak a place at huge odds.

Does look one of the hardest to beat. Strips super fit here 3rd up and will lead. If Just Folk doesn’t take him on then he sits out on his lonesome. Bad draw here but he did start from gate 17 in the Epsom carrying more weight than Tom Kitten and was 3rd. Looks in beautifully here if he can cross without something kicking up under neath him. Big show on home track.

Quality mare who looks well in here. Is a 1400m Gr 1 winner and last prep should have won the rich $10m Golden Eagle when held up and 5th. Has had two runs this time up, latest when handy 6th, but a tiring one it must be said, to Gringotts in the 1500m Gr 1. Drawn to get an ideal run but just a question over her talent at this journey.

Top class multiple Gr 1 winning American mare. The mares who come from the states boasting that talent always run well here especially on wet tracks. The draw is horrendous and she did get well beaten behind Magic Time and Joliestar in a recent 840m trial. Did get thrashed by Moira last time they met. I’d prefer to see but the fact Chris has her in this means she will be competitive.

Is a bonafide star, one of North America’s best and in fact probably is the best mare in North America. Two-time Canadian Horse Of The Year. Was 2nd in Canada’s biggest open WFA race last year in November after a horrendous ride where jockey left run way, way too late before winning the Gr 1 Breeders F&M Classic. You have to be world class to win that race.  Purchased by Yulong and now in Australia. Horror draw and no trials but I suspect she is going to run a blinder.

His best runs have been when he leads as he did on Tuesday when an easy winner of the Doncaster Prelude. Wont get to lead these as Royal Patronage will take that role but should sit up on his flanks. Is fit and tough and drops 5kg on last start. Will be in this for a long while.

Multiple Gr 1 winner this track and trip but just seems ton have lost all form. Last all the way behind Gringotts last start. Doesn’t like hard tracks and gets a soft one here but will need to imptrove a great deal.

Such a tough racehorse who has run in just about everything including last year’s Melbourne Cup when 10th. Looked a winning chance when resuming last start in the Gr 1 Ryder at the 300m but weakened final 100m when 7th to Gringotts. Is 2nd up here and has twice won while 2nd up. Doesn’t mind a damp track and meets Gringotts and Royal Patronage and Tom Kitten a kilo or so better for being beaten by them first up. Sneaky place show.

Gr 1 winner this trip last year and when resuming last start was close-up 8th to Gringotts in the Gr 1 Ryder. This is harder but is in well at the weights.

Was there to the bend then dropped out on fast track behind Via Sistina in the 2000m Gr 1 Ranvet last start. Softer track will suit a lot more and does drop 6kg on that run. Drawn to get a nice run too but not sure he is up to these.

Isn’t up to this class but the lightweight helps. Not really keen though after his poor effort in weaker Gr 2 Ajax Stakes last start.

On recent form this bloke looks hard to beat. And at the weights he looks a great lightweight hope. Can he run a Gr 1 mile though? Carried 4kg less than Gringotts 2 starts back when he beat that horse and last start carried 57.5kg to win the Gr 2 Ajax in fast time over 1500m. Should drive forward from this gate and be with leaders all the way.

Ran a funny race on Tuesday when tailed off early before storming home along the fence to grab 4th behind Just Folk in the Prelude. This is harder but he drops 5kg and has drawn beautifully. Might sneak a place if he doesn’t get that far back now that he’s fitter.

Drops 1.5kg after running the superstar Lady Shenandoah to a half head in the 1500m Gr 1 Coolmore last start. That was run in fast time too. Has been heavily backed to win this as she carries no weight and has a storming last 200m finish. She is 3rd up here and interesting to note that 3rd up last prep after two wins, she was 11th in the Gr 1 Epsom. Does appear to be better this time up. Has claims.

On home track with 49kg after a Gr 1 win over this trip last start under 56.5kg when he ran fast time. All that says he wins this comfortably. But, where does he get to in the run? Can’t be any better than 3-deep all the way from this draw. Saying that he may well be good enough to overcome that. Has won on a heavy track so has that box ticked too. Looks a huge hope.

Is a fast on pace Victorian who carried 59kg when led and 6th in the All-Star Mile behind Tom Kitten. Meets Tommy 4kg better and has drawn a great gate. Not sure he is actually good enough but will be in it for some time. Does like it damp.

Top class 3YO. If he gets a start he is a big chance with this weight.

Good, in form handicapper. Probably doesn’t get a start and if he does he looks tested.

Comes in well at the weights as he can run on hard, but looks unlikely to gain a start.