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Assessing the contenders in the Doncaster Mile

Roar Pro
7th April, 2014
9

The Doncaster Mile is my favourite race of Sydney’s autumn carnival (now the Championships), bringing together the best middle-distance runners in the country for what is always a cracking race.

Historically, it is a tough race for the punters. Past winners have come from so many different form lines, including three-year-olds, mares, entires, geldings and fillies. This looks to be the case again this year, as all the grades are being represented by some quality runners over the 1600m distance.

Currently leading the betting is five-year-old gelding Messene, who has nine wins from 12 starts including last start’s impressive three-length win in a Group 2. This is definitely his toughest test and he currently looks a little short in the market, especially considering the track will most likely be heavy and he is untried in the wet.

On the next line of betting sits Boban, who struggled a little last start in the George Ryder and is not renowned for his wet track ability.

Two runners that do handle the wet and are also under double figures are El Roca and Weary. Both are coming off good last-start runs, with Weary winning in heavy conditions and El Roca running a good third in the George Ryder on a slow track. Weary is unproven at this level and gets a chance to show us what he is made of.

Getting down to the ‘value runners’, there is last year’s Doncaster winner in Sacred Falls who ran a solid fourth in the George Ryder, will relish the wet conditions, and looks a good chance to defend his title. Hawkspur looks to be getting out to peak fitness now. It might still be looking for more distance but handles the wet and should run a good race.

Other runners of interest include Streama, Royal Descent and Speediness, all three of whom looked good value in the early betting. Speediness ran a strong second in the George Ryder and Streama punched along well for fifth. Royal Descent finished off really well last start in the Coolmore and the heavy going will help his cause.

Let’s hope the rain doesn’t scare off too many of the runners, surely the prize money on offer will ensure a full field of 20 will be lining up come Saturday. Can’t wait!

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