Jockey Brenton Avdulla will partner Dissident in the 2014 Doncaster Mile at Royal Randwick this weekend and is thrilled to pick up the ride on a horse that he thinks is an excellent winning chance in the Group 1 event.
Dissident is chasing his second win at Group 1 level in the 2014 Doncaster Mile at Royal Randwick this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart
Dissident has been ridden by veteran jockey Jim Cassidy in all four starts during his 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival campaign, but Avdulla has picked up the ride on the Sebring colt after Cassidy was booked to ride Hawkspur in the $3 million race.
Avdulla told TVN that he is thrilled to pick up the ride on Dissident and is confident that the three-year-old will receive a lovely run into the race when he jumps from barrier nine tomorrow.
“He is a winner at the trip, he’s a winner at the track, he’s a Group 1 winner and he gets into the race down on the minimum,” Avdulla said.
“I’m really looking forward to riding him.
“He’s drawn well and comes into nine with the emergencies out.
“A lot of the main chances are drawn outside him and he should have a lovely run in transit.”
Dissident started his autumn preparation with a second place finish behind El Roca in the Listed Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on February 15 before breaking through for his maiden win at Group level with a narrow victory over Atlante and Savvy Nature in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m).
The talented colt stepped-up to a mile for the Group 1 Royal Randwick Guineas (1600m) on March 15 and battled home bravely to score a tough win over El Roca and was far from disgraced when sixth behind Criterion in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas over 2000 metres on March 29.
Dissident will be dropping back from 2000 to 1600 metres in the Doncaster Mile this weekend, but Avdulla does not believe that will be a problem for his mount; with Rangirangdoo (2010) and Sacred Choice (2011) both dropping back in trip to win the Doncaster Mile in recent years.
“It’s the old TJ and Gai trice,” Avdulla said.
“Give them a 2000 metre run and then drop them back to a mile and down in the weights.”
Dissident is currently available at 2014 Doncaster Mile odds of $21; with Team Hawkes-trained Messene ($4.60) still favourite from imported stayer Weary who has been extremely well-backed in the last 48 hours.
