The Doncaster Mile headlines four Group 1 races on Day 1 of The Championships and I simply cannot wait for it.
Some of the country’s best milers will seek an enormous, albeit reduced payday and understandably, it is as wide-open as they come.
Doncaster Mile – Winner
No. 3 Homesman – Bet Now: $18.00
Homesman did all of his best work late when resuming in the Chipping Norton Stakes and, while there is no doubt that he’ll need everything to go his way after drawing awkwardly, I think he’s going to win the 2020 Doncaster Mile. The War Front gelding rarely runs a bad race and won the Group 2 Feehan most notably in spring, following up that effort with a close-up second in the Underwood. The booking of Nash Rawiller to ride is extremely positive and for this horse, 56.5kgs is a very manageable weight.
Doncaster Mile – 2nd
No. 13 Quackerjack – Bet Now: $15.00
Quackerjack doesn’t know how to run a bad race and I think that he’s going to take a power of beating in the Doncaster Mile 2020. The Not A Single Doubt gelding went to another level last campaign, running second in The Gong and winning passage into this race with his win the Group 2 Villiers Stakes. So far this time, he’s beaten a talented field to the line in the Group 3 Liverpool Cup and finished fourth in the Group 2 Ajax Stakes. He has form on all types of surfaces, will be partnered by in-form hoop Rachel King and has options in transit from Barrier 1. With even luck, I really can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish.
Doncaster Mile – 3rd
No. 1 Melody Belle – Bet Now: $7.50
I think that we will truly see how good Melody Belle is on Saturday. Sure, she’s won a thousand Group 1 races in New Zealand and one over here, but she’s drawn awkwardly in the Doncaster Mile field, she’s been charged with carrying topweight and so far, she hasn’t been able to beat a few horses in two autumn starts. That being said, the first point should resonate through at least a bit – she’s won a bunch of Group 1 races. She clearly has the talent; I just wonder if she’ll find a couple of these just a little too sharp again under the conditions.
Doncaster Mile – 4th
No. 18 Nettoyer – Bet Now: $26.00
Nettoyer is as tough as they come and what a thrill it would be for a minnow stable like Wendy Roche’s to taste Doncaster Mile success. The Sebring mare has been a strong and consistent performer throughout her racing career and has tuned up for this race with a lovely win in the Group 3 Aspiration Quality and fourth placing in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes a couple of weeks ago. I can’t see a drop back to a mile being an issue and she’s drawn to receive a lovely run in behind the pace, with only 51.5kgs in tow.
Suggested Bets
- 1 Unit E/W #3 Homesman
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections below