Randwick Tips for The Doncaster Handicap 2024

It wouldn't be a Group 1 Doncaster Mile without a stack of big-priced chances, but the arrival of the "Big Wet" makes this one of the toughest and hardest renewals to breakdown.

Exotic punters will have a field day, yet with enough on-speed pressure throughout the race, I'm anticipating one from an off-speed position to take the prize.

There are three runners who are all over the odds and are worth tracking big time.

 

 

Randwick Race 8 - Doncaster Mile (1600m)

Track Conditions

Given the heavy rain forecast in the 48 hours leading up to the race, we are heading towards a rain-soaked Heavy 9/10 rating.

The rail is back in the True position from 3m four weeks ago.

Randwick is never reliable when we fall into the heavy range, but the likely trend will be to go gradually wider and wider as the surface wears.

 

Check out the All-In Boys tips for the Doncaster here 

 

The Speed Map

In a full field of 20, punters will see the candidates be spread right across the track over the final 300m.

Last year's Everest winner Think About It will roll across on speed from a wider barrier, so too provincial-based Attractable second-up. Plus, from the extreme outside Phearson will have no choice but to fly across under a light weight and sit right on the pace.

The real big watch will be on emerging star and Prelude winner Another Wil who will also look to slide across from very wide out and find a position on or right behind the speed.

Shooting for three straight wins, Zougotcha will attempt to tuck in just off the speed from a very wide draw, along with Golden Mile who pushes up from the inside gate.

Victorian-based ex-Kiwi Berkshire Shadow and from another wide barrier Lindermann, who nearly always parks forward, will attempt to do the same.

Given there's so much pressure for on-speed spots in the first 300m, the race is set up for one to finish over them from midfield.

 

The Favourite

Let's be honest, how can there be a truly clear favorite in a full Doncaster field on a bog track.

That said, under a postage stamp of 50kg and with five wins from seven starts, Another Wil has a fair claim to that tag.

However, as tough and strong he may be, the early $3.80 from a wide barrier was ridiculously short.

Around $6.50 is surely the starting point

 

Neil's Best Bet

Powerhouse colt Militarize ($9.50) is primed to peak here fourth-up and reaching the mile, while also down to 54kg.

Make no bones about it, this is the 3YO time of the year.

Militarize arrives behind a trio of strong finishing efforts, twice at Group 1 level over similar trips.

He now gets an ideal wet track, given he's two from four in soft and bolted in his only previous start on heavy.

Of course it doesn't stop with him.

Both high class Japanese stallion and last year's brilliant Golden Eagle (1500m) winner Obamburamai ($11.50), and top class mare Lady Laguna ($11.00) are right in the hunt at good odds.

All three of those runners should settle around midfield, importantly off the fence, and get to the outside and into better going past the 450m.

 

 

The Dangers

Where do we start?

As I've said both Lady Laguna and Obamburamai are over the odds from midfield positions.

Of course, Another Wil is right at home on wet ground and must be included in all exotic plays.

Much further out in the market, Kovalica ($21.00); Detonator Jack ($18.00) and Democracy Manifest ($27.00) are all serious wet trackers and over the odds.

 

Neil's Top Five

1. MILITARIZE
2. Lady Laguna
3. Obamburamai
4. Detonator Jack
5. Democracy Manifest

 

Access more betting tips for Saturday racing here.