Many of our racing champions get labelled “the people’s horse”, but two that come immediately to mind did great things in the Doncaster Handicap, now known as the Doncaster Mile.
Super Impose and Sunline both won two Doncasters, the former back-to-back in 1990-91, the latter in 1999 and 2002.
So it is somewhat fitting that the ultimate people’s champion, Black Caviar, has been retired in the same week the Doncaster will be run.
Peter Moody’s mighty mare never ran over the famous Randwick mile, or any distance over seven furlongs much to the dismay of many, but she did grace the turf of Sydney headquarters for her most memorable victory in this country, as well as in her final appearance this Saturday just gone.
The greatest mare of our time, and who would have thought we’d be saying that so soon after Sunline and Makybe Diva, will be fittingly paraded at Caulfield on Saturday, drawing the attention of many racing fans.
But, like all sports, as fans we have to move on. As one star fades, another rises.
Out: Black Caviar…
In: Pierro.
Doncaster Mile
The Doncaster is the most prestigious 1600m race in this country, and like the Newmarket for sprinters and Melbourne Cup for stayers, it is run under handicap conditions.
Pierro is one of the marquee three year olds in a year full of quality. He’s looking to break the weight-carrying record for a successful three-year-old in this race, at near enough to even money.
Weekend Hussler was one kilo off the top, as Pierro is here, when he won his Newmarket, and Fastnet Rock carried top weight to an Oakleigh Plate, both as three-year-olds, so you can win a big Group 1 handicap under some heft.
The Gai Waterhouse gun is still yet to taste defeat racing clockwise, and is coming off two impressive Group 1 weight-for-age wins. If looking for a little knock, his winning margins in three starts this campaign only total 1.3 lengths, and his weight allocation shouldn’t be dismissed lightly.
Appearance has been pitched in at the weights for a three time Group 1 winner (Myer Classic, Coolmore Stakes, Queen of the Turf), all won in her last five starts.
No horse is in better form right now, and she just continues to get the job done at double figures odds, as she’ll be again.
Norzita deserves to be second favourite coming off a Group 1 win of her own, albeit in fillies grade, and an eye-catching third behind Appearance in the Coolmore.
The three-year-old males have been dominant against the older horses this Autumn, and she now get her chance to represent the fairer sex.
Sticking to the mares theme, and why not in honour of Black Caviar, Secret Admirer looks a value runner at odds, especially for place backers. She’s one of the most consistent horses in the land at the elite level, is a dual Group 1 winner of this track and distance, and looks to be peaking nicely for this.
Shoot Out is tough, honest and underrated, so he can be around the mark. I’m not sure there’s much else to get excited about in this field.
Selections: 1.Secret Admirer 2.Pierro 3.Appearance 4.Shoot Out
Australian Oaks
The Oaks is the forgotten Group 1 race of the Doncaster card, and perhaps rightly so considering the winner seldom goes onto to greater heights as an older horse.
Habibi is the favourite, but a false favourite for mine. She was a well beaten third behind Norzita in the Stormqueen, which admittedly was the first run in the country for this New Zealand filly.
She’s been up for a lifetime, and while she’s obviously a nice horse. I’m not sure we’re going to be seeing any improvement from her in this. I won’t say she can’t win, but I wouldn’t be backing her at double the $3.30 she currently is.
It’s hard to believe we’re getting $6 with Sportsbet about Dear Demi. Talk about an open invitation to mine your own gold for a horse that, at over $1.2M, has won more than twice the prizemoney of the next best horse in the field, and was a dominant Oaks winner in the Spring!
On paper, her last two starts look unflattering, but she had excuses for not finishing closer.
Taking on the older horses in the Coolmore, Jim Cassidy had her posted fifteen wide in a fourteen horse field for basically the entire trip. She was never going to be able to make ground, but still finished within five lengths of Appearance.
In the Stormqueen, there was no option for Pumper but to drag her back to last from the widest barrier. She was no chance of securing the win from that point on, especially in the slow conditions when the winner had the easy run just better than midfield.
Longport’s good runs this campaign allow us to draw a line between the two favoured fillies. She beat Habibi by near on three lengths last start, and Dear Demi took care of the Patinack filly by the same margin in the Surround.
This race is a no contest, and I can’t wait for 3.35pm on Saturday to come around.
Selections: 1.Dear Demi 2.Longport 3.Habibi 4.More Than Sacred
Justin Cinque
Expert
I'll say I'm in the Habibi camp. Only lost when fresh and she closed off super strong in the Storm Queen. I watched the race with Alfred Chan and he thought Dear Demi was the best run. I disagree - Habibi was super in my opinion. I think she's a moral actually. Now it's real interesting!
Cameron Rose
Expert
A bit of support for Glass Harmonium it seems. He is just the type battle-axe to run a big race at odds, but will need to jump cleanly of course. Good to see some support for Dear Demi too. I think she just wins, and we're getting a sensational price.
lachjohnston
Roar Rookie
I'm a big fan of Glass Harmonium as well. Beat home King Mufhasa in the Futurity, who got very close to Pierro in the George Ryder. He's a battle-hardened 7yo carrying the same weight as a 3yo (who is admittedly a star) - don't mind the 40-1 quote at all. Dear Demi looks good in the Oaks too. Prepared to forget her last run after she missed the start and was left with a mountain to climb. Has the turn of foot if they sit and sprint (has won a G2 at 1400) and will run a strong 2400m if its a bit more of a staying test.
Mark
Guest
Glass HArmonium a place chance at the $10's? Look delicious odds for a horse that is proven fresh, a group 1 winner, and is actually getting weight off Pierro. Not to mention its first up 2nd to All Too Hard giving away many kg;'s
Will Sinclair
Guest
You're right Cameron - it was the Yellowglen at G2. My mistake.
Cameron Rose
Expert
The beauty of a Donacaster is that we're going to get goods odds about horses we've been keeping an eye on, or might rate higher than what others do. I do like an untapped, lightly raced galloper, and Lightinthenite certainly fits the bill. He could make the quantum leap. If he does win, Puissance de Lune's credentials look even better!
Rob
Guest
The discussion on where BC sits amongst the greats will be a fantastic one to be had over a beer in time to come, disagree with the writer that it's a simple yes, comparing apples and oranges. In regards to the races tomorrow, load up on Glass Harmonion, great barrier skills for this race!
Justin Cinque
Expert
I think the best roughie in the Donny is Lightinthenite. Randwick horse, on the limit and on the up. The question is his class but the 60/1 is good insurance. I thought his first-up return was outstanding, he runs a strong mile and handles all ground. This is a winnable race for horses low in the weights I think.
Cameron Rose
Expert
Haha, I just threw her on top because I'm sick of putting the short horses on top all the time, and it was time for some value. I think Secret Admirer is good value at the place, but I'm not sure I'll be betting in the race to be honest. Fontelina certainly fits the bill of an Anthony Cummings bolter that he produces from time to time. Worth including in the quaddie perhaps, but does he have the class? I think you mean a Group 2 winner (the Salinger)?
Will Sinclair
Guest
Cameron! You'll deadset go broke backing Secret Admirer. And very quickly. (She's the female Maluckyday). I think the favorite and the toppie in the Doncaster look good, as does Appearance, but I'll be having a little bit on Fontelina each way. He meets the Ryder field MUCH better at the weights, and is already a Group 1 winner. You can still get 50/1 about him and I think that is really good value. Leaning to Summerbliss in the Oaks, although you make a very good case for Dear Demi!