The weather Gods have finally shone on Royal Randwick for the first day of The Championships with the sun shining, the track has been rated Good 4 and the rail is in the true position for 2018 Doncaster Mile Day.

Kementari, above, remains the favourite for the 2018 Doncaster Mile at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Kementari, above, remains the favourite for the 2018 Doncaster Mile at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

A full field of sixteen runners with no scratchings is set to line up in the Group 1 $3m The Star Doncaster Mile (1600m), the star attraction on the ten race program that is featuring four Group 1 races.

A capacity field of eighteen three year olds will contest the Group 1 $2m Harrolds Australian Derby (2400m) with the two emergencies, Yuralla Boy and Love Waves not required.

The field for the Group 1 $2.5m Darley T J Smith Stakes (1200m) has been reduced to eleven runners with Thronum, Missrock and Showtime all coming out on Friday.

The Group 1 $1m Inglis Sires’ (1400m), previously known as the ATC Sires’ Produce is scratching free with fifteen two year olds to chase Group 1 glory.

The James Cummings trained Kementari remains the solid favourite for the Doncaster Mile at $3.40 with Ladbrokes.com.au after touching $3.80 in the course of the pre post betting.

On the second line of betting at $5 is the Pat Webster trained Happy Clapper who ran Winx to three quarters of a length when second in the Group 1 $1m The Agency George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill a fortnight ago.

Chris Waller’s three year old D’Argento is also well in the betting at $7.50 and emerged as s a lightweight chance following his win in the Group 1 $600,000 Sky Racing Rosehill Guineas (2000m) at Rosehill on March 24.

The Darren Weir trained Humidor is the only other runner under the $10 mark at $9.50 and has been lumped with the top weight of 58kg.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.