Hallowed Crown is currently available at 2015 Doncaster Mile odds of $6.50 and remains a narrow favourite in betting markets for the Group 1 event at Royal Randwick this afternoon.
Hallowed Crown is set to start the 2015 Doncaster Mile as a narrow favourite. Photo by: Steve Hart
Hallowed Crown has been Doncaster Mile favourite since betting opened for the Group 1 event earlier in the week and support has not dropped off for the Street Sense colt despite the wet weather this weekend due to his strong efforts on wet tracks in both the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes (1100m) and Group 3 The Run To The Rose (1200m) in 2014.
Kermadec received a start in the 2015 Doncaster Mile field this morning following the scratching of Moriarty and It’s Somewhat and he is priced at a quote of $7.50 to record a maiden win at the highest level of racing.
The three-year-old has not recorded a race win this preparation, but stamped himself as a genuine Doncaster Mile contender with unlucky efforts in both the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 7 and the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 21.
Royal Descent has not recorded a race win since she took out the 2013 edition of the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m), but she has been backed from $11 into $8 to return to winning form in the Doncaster Mile this afternoon.
The Redoute’s Choice mare has finished second in all five of her previous starts over the Royal Randwick mile and she finished second behind Sacred Falls in the Doncaster Mile last year, while she hit the line strongly to finish fourth in the George Ryder Stakes last start.
The only other horse that is available at single figure 2015 Doncaster Mile odds is Gai Waterhouse-trained Pornichet, who has drifted back out to $8 after being backed into as short as $7 yesterday.
Pornichet made a slow start to his autumn campaign, but returned to his best form with a most impressive victory in the Group 3 Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 28.
There has been a sprinkling of support for New Zealand galloper Puccini ($101 into $81), John Thompson-trained Hooked ($34 into $31), Queen Of The Turf Stakes winner Diamond Drille ($34 into $31) and wet-track specialist Rudy ($19 into $17), while George Ryder Stakes winner Real Impact ($12 out to $14) and the in-form Suavito ($10 out to $13) have all been on the drift with Ladbrokes.
