Leading Sydney trainers Gai Waterhouse and Chris Waller dominate the Doncaster Mile first acceptances that were released by Racing New South Wales yesterday.
Appearance is currently favourite in 2014 Doncaster Mile betting markets. Photo by: Steve Hart
Waller took out the 2013 edition of the race with Sacred Falls and currently has 12 gallopers that remain a chance of contesting the Group 1 event at Royal Randwick on April 12.
Headlining the Waller charge is triple Group 1 winner Boban (56.5kg) and imported stayer Foreteller (56kg), but neither are certainties to contest the Doncaster Mile; with Waller leaning towards running the duo in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on April 19.
My Kingdom Of Fife (55.5kg), Sacred Falls (55kg), Hawkspur (55kg), Moriarty (54kg), Royal Descent (52.5kg), Catkins (52kg) and Weary (50kg) have also been included in the first acceptances for both Group 1 events, while Red Tracer (54.5kg) and Zoustar (53.5kg) are expected to contest the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) and Group 1 T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) respectively.
Waterhouse included nine horses in the Doncaster Mile first acceptances, but she is not certainty to get all of her hopefuls into the Group 1 event as the majority of her chances are currently on the limit weight of 50kg.
Progressive gelding Almighty Charge, Manfred Stakes winner Bull Point, the highly-rated Ecuador, talented colt Liberty’s Choice, veteran gelding Rain Drum, Epsom Handicap fourth placegetter Spurtonic and the well-bred Woodbine will all need to win a lead-up race to secure a position in the Doncaster Mile field, while imported stayers Carlton House (53.5kg) and Tres Blue (51.5kg) are also a chance of running in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
New Zealand superstar It’s A Dundeel (58kg) is currently the Doncaster Mile top-weight from Boban, foreign raider Gordon Lord Byron and Foreteller, but all four are no certainties to contest the Group 1 event.
Classy mare Appearance (55.kg) is next in the weights and has stamped herself as a clear favourite in Doncaster Mile betting markets after taking out the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m), Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) since the start of her 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival campaign.
Other key chances that were included in the Doncaster Mile first acceptances include Cox Plate winner Shamus Award (55.5kg), Emirates Stakes placegetter Speediness (54kg), talented filly Guelph (52.5kg), Kiwi colt El Roca (50kg) and Team Hawkes-trained Not Listenin’tome (50kg).
