The Group 1 $3m The Star Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick today is free of scratchings with the track rated a soft 6 to start the first day of ‘The Championships’.
Winx will start a short priced favourite for the Doncaster Mile at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
A field of fifteen runners is set to go around in the Autumn Carnival feature mile with the Chris Waller trained Winx dominating the betting at $2.05 at Ladbrokes.com.au.
The other three Group 1 races on the ten race program are also free of scratchings with twelve two year olds to go around in the $1m Inglis Sires’ (1400m), thirteen three year olds in the $2m BMW Australian Derby (2400m) and fifteen sprinters to line up in the $2.5m Darley T J Smith Stakes (1200m).
Fine weather over the last couple of days has seen the track improve from a heavy 8 to be a soft 6 on race morning and there is still a chance of a further upgrade during the day.
Winx’s has continued to drift slightly in the betting for the Doncaster Mile and after being marked a $1.80 earlier in the week is now listed at $2.05 with stablemate Kermadec also lengthening in the betting to $9.50 after $7 was bet midweek.
The Ciaron Maher trained Azkadellia is the clear market mover and has firmed in from $11 to be quoted at $8 this morning and with only 50kg on her back, her supporters are giving her a good chance of running down Winx who has to carry 56.5kg.
Golden Slipper runner up Yankee Rose continues to firm in the betting and is the clear $3.30 favourite for the Inglis Sires’ ahead of the John O’Shea trained Telperion at $4 and Chris Waller ‘s lightly raced filly Omei Sword at $5.
Victorian colt Tarzino has maintained his grip on the betting for the Australian Derby and has firmed into $1.75 from $2 earlier in the week with the in-form Tally and Crown Oaks winner Jameka sharing the second line of betting at $7.
The punters are still sorting out who will start favourite in the T J Smith Stakes with Ladbrokes.com.au offering $3.30 about Exopshere and $3.60 for Chautauqua.
The Gai Waterhouse trained English is the only other runner under double figures at $9.
The rail is in the true position for day one of ‘The Championships’.
