Tough three year old Dissident will take his place in the Group 1 $3m The Star Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Dissident to take his place in the Doncaster Mile. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Dissident is one of twenty runners in a capacity Doncaster Mile field along with two emergencies which sees the top weight Boban set to carry 58kgs after the weights were raised 1.5kgs because of the original top weight It’s A Dundeel not being among the acceptances
Trainer Peter Moody said that the decision to run Dissident against the older horses was an after-thought as the Group 1 $500,000 TAB.com.au Rosehill Guineas (2000m) at Rosehill on March 29 was his main Autumn Carnival goal.
“This is an after-thought, the Rosehill Guineas was his goal,” Moody told TVN this morning.
“But, he’s come through it well and is fit and well, so he’ll run.”
A fit and well Dissident has tempted Moody to take on the high quality handicap field with only 51.5kgs.
Dissident earned a direct passage into the Doncaster Mile with his win in the Group 1 $600,000 Royal Randwick Guineas (1600m) at Randwick on March 15 before finishing sixth to Criterion in the Rosehill Guineas.
At his previous run the Sebring colt has scored a gutsy win over Kiwi three year old Atlante in the Group 2 $200,000 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on March 1.
Jim Cassidy has been the regular rider for Dissident throughout his Sydney Autumn campaign but is required to ride Hawkspur for Chris Waller in the Doncaster Mile.
Sydney jockey Brenton Avdulla will take over from Cassidy on Saturday.
Dissident has been marked as a $15 chance for the Doncaster Mile with the Team Hawkes trained Messene heading the market order at $3.50.
New Zealand three year old El Roca is the second favourite at $8 just ahead of the Chris Waller trained Weary at $9, Hawkspur at $11 and Boban and Royal Descent at $12 alongside of Toydini from the Guy Walter stable.
Moody will also saddle up $51 chances Lidari and Fat Al.
