Weights for the star-studded $3M Doncaster Handicap on day one of the Championships have been released, with Fawkner lumped with the top weight of 58kg.
The Lloyd Williams-owned galloper is coming off a strong spring campaign where he won the Makybe Diva Stakes and was beaten a nose in the Underwood Stakes. It’s unlikely we’ll see Fawkner in this race however if he does make the trip to Sydney, with the Queen Elizabeth at a more suitable distance.
Boban earned the top weight among the plethora of Chris Waller nominations, being given 57.5kg for the Randwick mile. Boban earned a Group 1 win over the spring with a narrow win in the Memsie Stakes, and has won three Group 1 races over the mile journey, including a thrilling victory in the 2014 Epsom Handicap.
Superstar Winx was rated as the best female in the race with her 56.5kg impost as a result of her stellar spring, which included a dominant win in the Epsom over this course and distance. Whether Waller elects to tackle the Doncaster just a week before the Queen Elizabeth Stakes is the query in regards to her.
Last year’s winner Kermadec doesn’t get the same luxury as last year, rising from 50kg to 57kg for this year’s edition. His record over the 1600m at Randwick is terrific, with two wins and two seconds from four starts, with his two wins both in Group 1 company.
Xtravagant heads the list of New Zealand gallopers entered for the race, sitting equal 29th in the order of entry with 53kg. This three year old colt has been making a mess of his rivals back home, winning the 2000 Guineas by eight and half lengths back in the spring, before winning the NRM Sprint by eight lengths.
Tosen Stardom returns from Japan for another crack at Championships glory after his fifth placing in the Queen Elizabeth last year. The options are open for trainer Yasutoshi Ikee after the five year old was given 56kg for the race. Logotype is another Japanese raider nominated, and is assured entry with 55.5kg if that is the route connections decide to take.
While Winx was favourite when markets first opened, Press Statement shot to the top of betting after his dominant return win in the Hobartville Stakes. The colt has won both starts in Group 1 company over the mile journey, but will have to carry 54kg in what will be his toughest test to date.
Another mare that came storming into contention after the weekend’s racing was First Seal. She returned with a strong win in the Mille Fox Stakes, and gets into the Doncaster with 53kg. First Seal has been around the top level for most of her racing career, and she is a horse with the potential to take that next step and win a big race like this.
The last nomination to examine is probably the one with the most untapped potential. The lightly raced Happy Clapper gets into the race with just 50.5kg, and is guaranteed a start following his resounding win in the Villiers in December. If Pat Webster can have him ready to go come April, he’ll give this race a massive shake with the light weight.
The Australian Turf Club would be delighted with the nominations they’ve received for their premier mile race which takes place at Royal Randwick on April 2 as a part of the Championships. Who do you think is best weighted to win? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
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