Doncaster Mile and Australian Derby favourites draw wide
Another Wil rocketed to the top of betting for Saturday’s Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) after winning the Doncaster Prelude on Saturday and remains a firm favourite at $3.50 with online bookmakers despite drawing barrier 21, which could come in to 17 if the emergencies fail to get a run.
The lightly raced gelding has won four in a row and sneaks into the field with 50kg, with Jamie Kah set to continue her association with the Ciaron Maher trained four-year-old.
Maher has five runners in the final field and first emergency Nugget as he aims to win his first Doncaster Mile, while Chris Waller also has five in the final field as he aims to win a record-equalling seventh.
Think About It will carry top weight at 57kg and trainer Joseph Pride believes The Everest winner is ready to peak on Saturday after two tough lead-in runs, hoping for a better run from barrier 15, which could come into 12.
“It’s a red-hot Doncaster this year, certainly when we thought of coming here we didn’t quite envisage this strong a field lining up but he’s a tremendous horse… he goes into it with a couple of really tough, seasoning runs that will have him at his peak on Saturday,” Pride said.
The last three-year-old to win the Doncaster was Brutal in 2019, who became the eighth three-year-old winner since 2000 and this year will see both the Randwick and Australian Guineas winners line up in Celestial Legend ($6 second favourite) and Southport Tycoon ($15).
Celestial Legend drew barrier six for Tyler Schiller who will take the ride at 49kg and says the horse is relishing his work ahead of another Group 1 target.
Another Wil rocketed to the top of betting for Saturday’s Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) after winning the Doncaster Prelude on Saturday and remains a firm favourite at $3.50 with online bookmakers despite drawing barrier 21, which could come in to 17 if the emergencies fail to get a run.
The lightly raced gelding has won four in a row and sneaks into the field with 50kg, with Jamie Kah set to continue her association with the Ciaron Maher trained four-year-old.
Maher has five runners in the final field and first emergency Nugget as he aims to win his first Doncaster Mile, while Chris Waller also has five in the final field as he aims to win a record-equalling seventh.
Think About It will carry top weight at 57kg and trainer Joseph Pride believes The Everest winner is ready to peak on Saturday after two tough lead-in runs, hoping for a better run from barrier 15, which could come into 12.
“It’s a red-hot Doncaster this year, certainly when we thought of coming here we didn’t quite envisage this strong a field lining up but he’s a tremendous horse… he goes into it with a couple of really tough, seasoning runs that will have him at his peak on Saturday,” Pride said.
The last three-year-old to win the Doncaster was Brutal in 2019, who became the eighth three-year-old winner since 2000 and this year will see both the Randwick and Australian Guineas winners line up in Celestial Legend ($6 second favourite) and Southport Tycoon ($15).
Celestial Legend drew barrier six for Tyler Schiller who will take the ride at 49kg and says the horse is relishing his work ahead of another Group 1 target.
“He’s some horse, he loves his work, he knows where the line is and he’s very competitive… if he’s forward of midfield it’d probably be nice but I wouldn’t be afraid of being midfield to back and getting out,” Schiller said.
Meanwhile, Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) favourite Riff Rocket drew barrier 10/14 as he aims to emulate the likes of Hitotsu, Mahogany and Dulficy as winners of both the Victoria and Australian Derby’s.
The last start Rosehill Guineas winner remains a $3.50 favourite for Saturday’s Derby ahead of lone filly and VRC Oaks winner Zardozi, who drew barrier two and has been backed into $4 second favourite ahead of stablemate Tom Kitten who drew barrier 3 and remains firm at $6.
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Mile test for Harry’s Yacht in 2026 Vobis Gold Reef
Will Larkin is confident the timing is right to test Harry’s Yacht over the mile when the gelding contests Saturday’s Vobis Gold Reef at Flemington. The four-year-old has enjoyed a strong preparation to date, registering two wins at benchmark level and adding two placings in Vobis races over 1200 metres. Training in...