The feature race of the day and it is a ripper! A full field of twenty runners (plus one emergency) will line up and take on the famous Randwick mile. Champion colt Pierro is the current favourite at $2.25 and is looking to make it four wins on the trot this campaign and at the same time, remain undefeated in Sydney. His trainer Gai Waterhouse is looking to make it back-to-back victories after More Joyous won this race last year. Should she be successful, it will be her seventh Doncaster Handicap victory.
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1. SHOOT OUT – J Bowman (10)
The first of four runners in the race for Chris Waller, who comes to this race after having won the G1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) in great style first up at Warwick Farm in March before getting squeezed out at the start in the G1 George Ryder (1500m) and closing well to finish third (beaten 1.2 lengths) behind Pierro on Golden Slipper Day. Impeccable record this track and trip including a ¾ length second to More Joyous in this race last year. Meets Pierro 1.5kgs better at the weights today and will no doubt make is presence felt. Has already firmed from $15 into $12.
2. PIERRO – N Rawiller (4)
The barrier draw was the cherry on top – if one was needed – for this star colt. He is unbeaten in ten Sydney starts and has won G2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m), G1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) and last start, despite racing wide for the majority of the race, found enough to run down King Mufhasa and claim the G1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at three runs back this prep. Will be in the box seat throughout, capable on all conditions and ran and is the one they have to beat.
3. GLASS HARMONIUM – S Arnold (9)
A 7yo gelding ran a cheeky race first up from a spell when 3 ¼ lengths second to All Too Hard in the G1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) before leading the field again and running them along but was no match for Super Cool and Fiveandahalfstar in the G1 Australian Cup (2000m). Should appreciate being back to handicap conditions and will no doubt be setting or sitting and his third up runs, bar last prep where he had excuses, have been some of his best.
4. VEYRON – R Norvall (3)
New Zealand galloper who made his Australian race debut last start in the G1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) and did himself and connections proud by finishing 1 ¾ lengths eighth behind Pierro. Better suited here to the handicap conditions you would think where he drops 2.5kgs on his last start, is drawn well and any rain would increase his chances.
5. DANLEIGH – J Cassidy (15)
Have nothing but admiration for this 9yo who continues to race, and race well, at the highest level at this stage of his career. He finished ¾ length third in both the G2 Apollo Stakes (to Alma’s Fury) and G1 Chipping Norton Stakes (to Shoot Out) before dropping out to the tail in the G1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) last start and railing home to finish third, 1.6 lengths behind Pierro. He ran fifth in this race in 2010, seventh in 2011 and fifteenth last year. Imagine it won’t be any easier for the old boy this year, especially from a wide draw.
6. HAPPY TRIALS – G Schofield (14)
His last two starts at a mile have resulted in win in the G1 Emirates Handicap and G2 Dato’Tan Stakes. He didn’t have any luck when resuming in the G1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) before getting back to near last and coming widest when 2.2 lengths ninth behind Pierro in the G1 George Ryder Stakes. Third up at the mile, on a drier surface will suits and he did run a slashing race in last year’s Doncaster behind More Joyous. Don’t dismiss him too readily.
7. ETHOPIA – R McLeod (8)
Winner of the Australian Derby here as a 3yo and demonstrated with his fourth placing in last year’s Cox Plate, that he is a horse of ability. However, trainer Pat Carey has set himself and the horse, a task here by tackling this first up from a twenty-four week spell. He was first up in the G2 Dato’Chan (1600m) last prep where he finished seventh (beaten 4.9 lengths) behind Happy Trails.
8. SECRET ADMIRER – B Shinn (19)
She has won three of her twenty five starts (two of them over this course and trip) but has been placed at Group 1 level a further seven times! Raced tight in-between runners and stuck on well for a fourth (beaten 1 ¼ lengths) last start in the G1 Queen of the Turf behind Appearance at her second run back from a spell and this race third up, looks ideal. Would’ve conceded her some chance of running a race before the barrier draw, but get’s too far back now?
9. SOLZHENITSYN – D Browne (2)
Very good first up when raced wide on the pace and stuck on well to finish 2 ¼ second to Pierro in the G1 Canterbury Classic before stepping out in the G1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) last start. Didn’t appear to enjoy the Slow track conditions – yet to run a place in three attempts on Slow – and weakened noticeably to finish last, beaten 4.6 lengths. Drops 4.5kgs here, drawn well and did win the G1 Toorak Handicap over this distance, third up last prep. The drier the track the better.
10. LAMASERY – (11)
A Group winner mare that resumed from a twenty week spell tenth of eighteen behind Havana Rey in the G2 Ajax Stakes (1500m), beaten 4 ¼ lengths. Ran well second up – she won two and placed two from four starts second up – last prep when third in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes under WFA conditions. Will be doing her best work late.
11. APPEARANCE – K McEvoy (13)
Can she keep her unbeaten record in G1 races alive? She’s competed in three and won the G1 Myer Classic (1600m) and at her most recent runs, the G1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) and G1 Queen of the Turf (1500m). She’s enjoyed the speed at her last two victories, finishing too well for some smart mares on both occasion and gives the impression the Randwick mile will suit her perfectly. She looks to be one of the genuine chances.
12. RED TRACER – C Brown (21)
A very honest mare who has gone within a head and a ½ length of claiming the G1 Coolmore Classic and Queen of the Turf at her most recent starts, finishing second to Appearance on both occasions. She had every chance in the run at each of those starts but unfortunately, has drawn the widest here and despite being in solid form, will find it too hard to overcome that alley.
13. STREAMA – G Boss (18)
Another mare who has chased home Appearance at both of her recent starts – finishing seventh in the Coolmore Classic and third (beaten 1 length) last start in the Queen of the Turf, both runs full of credit. However, her recent run of poor draws continues here unfortunately with gate eighteen to contend with and not sure if the drop to the foreign weight of 53.5kgs will be enough to counter that. Bossy, who has won this race several times, will have to produce a gem.
14. NORZITA – C Williams (17)
An excellent effort to finish a head away from Appearance two starts back when taking on the older mares in the G1 Coolmore Classic before appreciating the step up to 2000m and return to her own age when chasing down Longport, to win the G1 Vinery Stakes last start. That made it four wins from ten starts for this Thorn Park filly and whilst her form can’t be faulted, when compared to Appearance’s price and draw here, seems a little short for mine at the $8.50.
15. MONTON – C Reith (20)
Sat on the speed and was only caught by a freakish effort right on the line when second to Shoot Out in the G1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) before appearing to have every chance in the run but unable to run down Havana Rey, when 1.1 length third to him in the G2 Ajax Stakes. Despite producing some big efforts in top grade races, his last win came thirteen starts ago now in December 2011 (Villiers Stakes). Not sure he can break that drought from gate 20 here.
16. ALMA’S FURY – B Avdulla (12)
Consistent 5yo gelding by Refuse To Bend who, upon returning form an eight-week let-up, won the G2 Apollo Stakes before good efforts in both the G1 Chipping Norton (sixth, beaten 1 ¾ ) and Listed Sky High Stakes (fourth, beaten 2.7 lengths). Lovely run last start in the G3 Doncaster Prelude last week, saw him get within a head of winner and in-form mare Skyerush. Hasn’t carried this weight since running a nose second to All Legal in the G2 The Villiers five starts ago in December last year. Only needs half a chance to be competitive.
17. FONTELINA – P Robl (16)
Found them too slick when resuming in the G1 Newmarket Handicap (finished seventh) before acquitting himself very well under WFA conditions in the G1 Canterbury Stakes (last and widest – finished 3.9 lengths behind Pierro) and toughed it very well after settling handier in the G1 George Ryder (fifth, beaten 1.4 lengths) again behind Pierro. Drops 6kgs and, on his last two efforts, think he’s the best long-shot in the race.
18. SACRED FALLS – T Berry (6)
Chased home It’s A Dundeel in both the G1 Randwick Guineas and G1 Rosehill Guineas at his most recent starts before his trainer Chris Waller, fancied he’s better of here than he would’ve been chasing It’s A Dundeel home in the ATC Derby last week. Hasn’t quite lived up to expectations in his three starts since coming from New Zealand and think he’ll be covered here too.
19. LIGHTINTHENITE – C Newitt (7)
Winner of the G3 David Jones Cup (2000m) last prep who resumed in the G2 Ajax Stakes (1500m) with an encouraging fourth (beaten 1 ¾ lengths) behind Havana Rey. The lightly raced 5yo can only be better for that hit-out and did run fourth in the G1 Epsom over this track and trip last year behind Fat Al. Could safely assume he’s a stronger horse with now, drawn well with a good jockey and has to be considered a live chance.
20. AERONAUTICAL – N Berry (1)
Produced a career best effort three starts back when a neck third behind Shamexpress and Moment of Change in the G1 Newmarket Handicap before getting too far back in both the G1 Canterbury Classic and last start, the G3 Sebring Stakes (1200m) where he finished sixth in both starts. Jumps up to a mile for the first time in his career and given his racing pattern, probably wouldn’t have minded a wider draw. Will get back and need luck in running.
21. STRIKE THE STARS – (Em) (5)
Has won one of his twenty starts but made that solitary win count at least by claiming the G3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m). Ran fifth behind Lights of Heaven last start in the G3 Neville Sellwood Stakes and expect, if he were to get a run, he’ll be easily accounted for.
OVERVIEW
Hard, when looking at the form to go past Pierro but in a big handicap field such as this, the price is short enough. Shoot Out’s initial price of $15.00 was great value given his runs this time in and record at this track/trip. It was no surprise to see him firm almost immediately to $12.00 – which is still attractive for mine. Next for me is Appearance. She improves every time she steps out on the track and her racing style suggests that a race like this is right up her alley and the likelihood of the sting being out of the track, plays to her advantage. Outside of these it is, as it always is, a wide open affair and there are some prices on affair that are just too tempting to pass up. Alma’s Fury has done little wrong in the past five months and the $41 on offer attracts plenty of attention. At a similar price, Fontelina who was just behind Pierro last start and get a huge pull in the weights here, is also worth throwing in to any multiples. They’ll be coming thick and fast the final furlong so here’s hoping whatever your selection, it gets it’s chance.
