6/4/19 Randwick tips: Doncaster Mile

Distance	1600m
Grade	Group 1
Track Rating	Soft 7
Prizemoney	$3,000,000
Class	Handicap
2018 winner	Happy Clapper ($5)

The Doncaster is rightly coined our nation's greatest mile horse race and is steeped in history and tradition, having been first run in 1866.

This year's edition has attracted a typical high quality field of older hard heads and the young up and coming 3yo talent, where handicap conditions always make for an intriguing spectacle.

I am with one who looks well over the odds and has the stoutness and tractability to handle the expected testing track conditions.

With this race featuring late in the day, a close watch is advised to determine any track bias, especially the condition of the inside section. 

 Race Randwick Track Traits

For the latest insight on how the Randwick track is expected to play, read our race preview of the TJ Smith Stakes here.

 

 Racing Market Movers

All runners remain steady in early betting.

 

 Key Runners

#1 Hartnell $9.50

Grand old (8yo) campaigner, who usually has a big Group 1 race in him every preparation.

I generally like to take him on due to his high-profile nature which usually results in an artificially compressed price.

He will carry the hopes of plenty of mug punters again in this, however leave me out at the current $9.50. No.  

 

#3 Alizee $7

Is a high quality mare who could blow any field away on her day. 

She won the Group 1 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield before placing 3 of 14 in the All Star Mile, which is all great form for this.

I expect them to push forward again to be in the front half as per the Futurity tactics. If she can find cover in the moving line, she will be in a perfect striking position.

Top hope.

 

#4 Land Of Plenty $17

Has gone off the boil lately and looks to be coming down from his peak performances of previous preparations.

The 6 of 8 finish in the George Ryder Stakes was not good enough to be winning this and you can expect his price ($17) to only get longer.

Avoid.

 

#7 Shillelagh $18

Was well beaten in the Group 1 Ranvet at her latest and did run a close second in the Australian Cup two starts back.

She is likely to get buried back along the inside and I doubt she gets the right surface and track conditions to be taking gaps up along the inside this time. 

Happy to risk on this occasion. No.    

 

#10 Unforgotten $13

Is an interesting runner who drops back from the 2000m of the Ranvet Stakes last start, when she finished 4 of 14 behind a few smart ones.

Historically, coming back to a mile after a run over longer (2000m) can work well.

This race could suit, considering it may develop into a hard slog on rain-affected going, late in the day. 

In a tough Randwick mile, she sets up very well. Yes.

  

 

#15 Fifty Stars $8

Won the Blamey impressively in Melbourne two back, before being sent straight to Sydney for the Autumn carnival and chalking up another win in the Ajax at his latest.

The Randwick mile will suit and although they will be forced to go back from a wide ally (gate 24), this will allow the horse to sit and sprint as per his best pattern.

A rain-affected surface is another big tick (5:5-0-0) and he must be considered a leading chance. Yes.

  

#18 Fundamentalist $11

Will race close to speed from an inside draw (gate 2) and that could be the place to be, in what appears only a moderately run race.

The slight risk is the inside is a "no go" zone by this stage of the day, however she is likely to have the option to track wider.

She looks a horse on a steep upward trajectory and could surprise a few here. Yes.

 

#20 Brutal $5.50

Has no weight (49kg) as the lone 3yo colt, and ran very well last start when beaten into second by champion mare Winx.

The wraps from Team Hawkes have been enormous all the way through and they are ultra confident here.

He will have to overcome a horror draw (gate 21), however looks to have some serious untapped ability. Must include. 

Of The Others

#2 Le Romain appears well over the odds in this.

He has been excellent at all three runs this prep where at his latest, he was a close up 4 of 14 in the All Star Mile.

This race could develop into a grinding affair on a testing surface, which suits his stoutness and love of wet tracks (14:2-7-2).

From a price angle ($23) he must go on top. Huge value. 

 

 Best Racing Tips

1^st  Le Romain

2^nd  Fifty Stars

3^rd  Alizee

4^th  Brutal