Winx Allocated 56.5kg for the 2016 Doncaster Mile

Chris Waller’s rising super star Winx has been allocated 56.5kg for the Group 1 $3m The Star Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on April 2, the first day of ‘The Championships’.

Cox Plate winner Winx has been allocated 56.5kg for the Doncaster Mile at Randwick. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Cox Plate winner Winx has been allocated 56.5kg for the Doncaster Mile at Randwick. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Winx is the winner of her last six starts, which include three Group 1 wins and has recently returned from a spell to claim the Group 2 $250,000 Optus Business Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on February 13.

Her previous five victories included a win in the Group 1 $500,000 Treasury Casino & Hotel Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Doomben during the Brisbane Winter Carnival, a win in the Group 1 $1m The Star 150th Epsom (1600m) at Randwick and in the Group 1 $3m Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley during the Spring Carnival.

Winx was the winner of The Epsom with 57kg, but only after the weights had to be raised 4kg to accommodate the rule that said that the topweight, Hooked, had to carry 58kg.

The Street Cry mare then went on to streak her rivals at weight for age with a four and three quarter lengths win in the Cox Plate.

Three times Group 1 winner Fawkner has been be allocated the top weight for this year’s Doncaster Mile with 58kg, 0.5kg more than Winx’s stablemate Boban with 57.5kg.

Fawkner is the winner of the 2013 Group 1 $2.5m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) and the 2014 Group 1 $400,000 Cathay Pacific Caulfield Stakes (2000m) both at Caulfield as well as the 2015 Group 1 $400,000 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.

Last year’s Doncaster Mile winner Kermadec, also from the all-conquering Waller stable, has been given 57kg, after carrying 51kg to victory in 2015.

The Teofilo four year old has since gone on to record a second Group 1 victory with a win in the Group 1 $500,000 Colgate Optic White George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick during the Spring Carnival.

Also on 57kg is the Kiwi Group 1 winner Turn Me Loose and John O’Shea’s Godolphin English import Group 1 winner Contributer.

After joining the Godolphin’s Australian operation, Contributer was able to win the Group 1 $500,000 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm and the Group 1 $500,000 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill during the 2015 Sydney Autumn Carnival.

First Seal has been given 53kg after resuming from a lengthy spell at Rosehill last Saturday and was quickly back to her best with a win in the Group 2 $175,000 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m).

The Patrick Webster trained Happy Clapper is exempt from the ballet for the Doncaster Mile after winning the 2015 Group 2 $250,000 Inglis Villiers Stakes (1600m) at Randwick and will only have to carry 50.5kg if he doesn’t gain a penalty between now and the Doncaster Mile.

2015 Caulfield Guineas winner Press Statement has been allocated 54kg and heads the three year old brigade, while Kiwi three year old Xtravagant was given 53kg.

Press Statement is a dual Group 1 winner with victories in the $600,000 BMW Australia J.J. Atkins (1600m) at Doomben during the 2015 Brisbane Winter Carnival and in the $1m BECK Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield during the Spring Carnival.

The Hinchinbrook colt resumed from a spell to win the Group 2 $400,000 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill last Saturday.

While Xtravagant was able to beat the older horses by eight lengths at weight for age in the Group 1 NZ$218,000 NRM Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa in New Zealand on February 13 to claim his second Group 1 victory after winning the NZ$400,000 N.Z. 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton Park on November 7.

The first acceptances for the Doncaster Mile are due on Tuesday, March 8, 2016, with the final acceptances being taken on Tuesday March 29, 2016.

Early market order for the Doncaster Mile at Ladbrokes.com.au: $6.50 Press Statement, $7.50 Winx, $9 First Seal, $13 Azkadellia, Xtravagant, $17 Kermadec, Lucky Hussler, Perfect Reflection, Turn Me Loose, Vanbrugh.

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.