Trainer Tom Hogan has revealed that Gordon Lord Byron is still a chance of contesting the 2014 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Royal Randwick on April 12.
Gordon Lord Byron made his Australian racing debut with a narrow win over Speediness in the 2014 George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill Gardens last Saturday. Photo by: Steve Hart
Gordon Lord Byron has been included in the nominations for both the Group 1 Doncaster Mile and the Group 1 T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m), but has always been leaning towards running the tough gelding in the weight-for-age sprint that is worth $2.5 million in prizemoney.
Hogan is worried about the weight that Gordon Lord Byron would be forced to carry in the Doncaster Mile, but told TVN that he would consider running the son of Byron in the Group 1 event if the track was dry following his impressive victory in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
“We will look at the weather,” Hogan said.
“That will have a huge bearing on which way I go.
“If the weather dried out I would be tempted to run in the Doncaster.
“He’s rated here at 114 and his international rating is 118 and he can possibly run to 122 so it would give him six to eight pounds ahead of his handicap.
“He was the highest rated horse in the race yesterday and deserved to win it.”
Gordon Lord Byron was allocated a weight of 56.5 kilograms for the Doncaster Mile by Racing New South Wales handicappers, but would be forced to carry the top-weight of 58 kilograms if he is entered for the race; with current top-weight It’s A Dundeel extremely unlikely to contest the Group 1 event.
The Irish-trained galloper has now recorded Group 1 victories over three different distances; winning the 2012 Qatar Prix De La Foret over 1400 metres, the 2013 Sprint Cup over 1200 metres and the George Ryder Stakes over 1500 metres.
Gordon Lord Byron ($9) is currently on the third line of Doncaster Mile betting markets, behind Team Hawkes-trained Messene ($3.30) and talented colt El Roca ($9), who will both get into the Group 1 event on the limit weight of 50 kilograms.
The six-year-old is on the fourth line of 2014 T.J. Smith betting markets behind Newmarket Handicap winner Lankan Rupee ($3.60), triple Group 1 winner Buffering ($6.50) and Royal Ascot hopeful Zoustar ($7).
