A talent-rich and capacity field will descend on the 1600m start at Royal Randwick on Saturday for the time-honoured Doncaster Mile.
Many previous winners at the highest level have accepted alongside some of the more exciting prospects in Australasian racing, and 2024’s edition undoubtedly looms as one of the most highly anticipated Doncaster Miles since the turn of the century.
Will Think About It successfully get out to a mile for the first time? Will Another Wil overcome a horror barrier and realise his Group 1 potential? Will Guineas winners Celestial Legend or Southport Tycoon become the next three-year-old Doncaster Mile winner? Will there be a big upset?
All of those questions will be answered on Saturday, but before then, check out my comprehensive runner-by-runner Doncaster Mile preview below.
2024 Doncaster Mile Betting Strategy
- 2 Units Kovalica (Each Way)
- 1 Unit Boxed Trifecta: 4,7,8,12,18,19
1 – Think About It (15)
An interesting target for multiple Group 1 and The Everest winner, Think About It, and we’ll see him out to the mile for the first time.
Think About It experienced a meteoric rise to prominence last autumn and winter, peaking with consecutive wins in the Kingsford Smith Cup and the Stradbroke Handicap, and he returned in the spring in equally outstanding form, peak with his Everest victory.
He’s yet to strike in two starts back this time, but does look to be at peak fitness this week. Will need to overcome topweight and a sticky draw.
2 – Obamburumai (8)
The Golden Eagle winner returning from Japan and making his first appearance since spring.
Obamburumai has been excellent in just six career starts, winning four times, including a couple of black type features over in his homeland, before arriving in Australia for a memorable win at Rosehill Gardens back in October.
Josh Parr potentially a little stiff not to retain the ride, but Damian Lane is extremely experienced with Japanese horses, and Obamburumai should receive every chance.
3 – Pericles (16)
It has been a short while now since Pericles won a race, and his task did get a little harder on Tuesday when he drew into the Doncaster Mile field out in barrier 16.
Unlucky not to win at the highest level last autumn, but returned in sharp form again in the spring and added a couple more feature races to his CV.
Yet to strike in three starts back from a break and was well beaten in the George Ryder last time out. Big improvement would be required for him to be in the finish this week.
4 – Militarize (4)
Steps out in peak order and primed for a big performance.
Militarize ended his two-year-old prep with consecutive wins in Group 1 company and added the Golden Rose to his mantle most notably in spring.
Has placed in each of three runs back this time, including the George Ryder last time out, and is drawn to receive a lovely run this week under Zac Purton. Genuine leading contender.
5 – Zougotcha (19)
Zougotcha has recorded two wins from as many starts back this time and is primed for another big performance in the Doncaster Mile 2024.
Having hit the line to win the Group 2 Millie Fox in her first run back this time, she overcame a talented field of fillies and mares in the Coolmore Classic last time out and drops a couple of kgs from that run.
Craig Williams is up in Sydney to ride, but her winning chances did take a hit on Tuesday when she draw barrier 19.
6 – Golden Mile (1)
Golden Mile won the Caulfield Guineas back in 2022, but hasn’t been able to reach those heights in his subsequent preparations.
He does take his place in the Doncaster Mile field a model of fitness and has options in running from the rails draw, but nothing short of a career-best performance would be required for him to win.
7 – Kovalica (12)
Kovalica returned to action to finish fourth, beaten two lengths in the Liverpool City Cup before finishing down the order in the George Ryder Stakes last time out.
He is a horse that tends to enjoy improvement with a couple of runs under his belt and he does get back to ideal conditions this weekend, while a big drop in the weights is also beneficial.
So long as he doesn’t get shuffled too far back in the run, he is a live chance of fighting into the Doncaster Mile trifecta.
8 – Detonator Jack (2)
Detonator Jack has been set for the Doncaster Mile and is open to plenty of improvement following a smart effort for third, beaten half a length in the Group 2 Ajax Stakes.
The Jakkalberry gelding has continued to improve with each preparation and as the bar has been raised, and he won the lucrative The Gong back in November.
He’s yet to miss placing at this point of his preparation and rates as a genuine each way contender again this week.
9 – Berkshire Shadow (13)
Former Brit Berkshire Shadow makes his second Australian appearance in the 2024 Doncaster Mile.
Turned in some nice performances aboard prior to his transfer to Ciaron Maher, but was well beaten in Group 3 company down in Melbourne last month.
Would need to improve noticeably to trouble some of these rivals.
10 – Rustic Steel (7)
Rustic Steel returned to action with a nice performance to win the Group 3 Newcastle Newmarket last month, but was well beaten by the likes of Another Wil in the Doncaster Prelude last weekend.
He is open to improvement but is fitting of his $101 quote that is available in Doncaster Mile betting at publish).
11 – Attractable (5)
Attractable went to a new level during his spring preparation in 2023, peaking with a big win in The Big Dance before only just missing in the Group 2 Ingham.
He has failed to replicate that form in 2024 and is yet to fire a shot in two runs back from a break.
12 – Lady Laguna (10)
Lady Laguna has been a breakout star of the Autumn Racing Carnival and rates as a genuine Doncaster Mile winning chance.
Won three races in succession over summer, including the Magic Millions F&M, and after only just being denied by subsequent Group 1 winner Zougotcha in the Millie Fox, she proved too good for them in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes.
She was unlucky to only just be pipped in the George Ryder last time out and looks to be outstanding value in Doncaster Mile betting at current odds ($15 at publish).
13 – Democracy Manifest (11)
Cult hero Democracy Manifest returned to action an improved galloper in spring, winning the Group 3 Cameron Handicap before finishing a credible fifth in the Epsom Handicap at this course and distance.
Having finished down the order over 1300m in his first run back this time, he returned to winning form with a nice performance in the Ajax Stakes last time out.
His best might be just a level below some of the better horses in this field, but he will return his usual tough effort.
14 – Phearson (24)
Phearson recorded a shock win in the Liverpool City Cup in his first run back from a break, but only beat one runner home in the Ajax Stakes last time out.
His already slim hopes of winning the Doncaster Mile were almost certainly dashed on Tuesday when he drew the carpark.
15 – Loch Eagle (23)
Loch Eagle owned some terrific performances and results in 2023, and won his way into this race by taking out the Group 2 Ingham at this track and distance in December.
He is yet to show his best in two runs back from a break and will need plenty to go right from an extremely wide draw.
16 – Lindermann (22)
Group 1 winner Lindermann has improved noticeably with each of three runs back this time, culminating in a dominant four-length victory in the Group 3 Sky High Stakes last month.
The form out of that race has been franked with runner-up Kalapour coming out and winning the Group 1 Tancred Stakes last weekend.
Lindermann has proven to be an extremely versatile horse and the drop back to mile shouldn’t be an issue – the knock is where he’ll get to in the run after drawing barrier 22.
17 – Semana (17)
Semana recorded consecutive wins in the Magic Millions Cup and the Triscay Stakes, and she was last seen finishing just over a head second in the Coolmore Classic.
She drops down to 50kgs in the Doncaster Mile and should relish the conditions in peak order.
She will need plenty of luck in running from the draw, but she truly has gone to another level recently, and rates as a genuine Doncaster Mile trifecta contender with appropriate luck in running.
18 – Another Wil (21)
Another Wil has experienced a meteoric rise to prominence and maintains his position on the top line of Doncaster Mile betting ($4 at publish).
The Street Boss gelding returned to winning form in BM64 company at Sandown in January and has improved noticeably with each run and as the bar has been raised, culminating in a dominant win in last weekend’s Doncaster Prelude.
Jamie Kah had the option of riding a couple of key winning chances in the 2024 Doncaster Mile field and has elected to stay aboard this galloper, and while his chances did take something of a hit with the drawing of a wide barrier, he looks to have the ability to overcome it. Key winning chance.
19 – Celestial Legend (6)
Randwick Guineas winner that has been kept fresh for this race.
Celestial Legend always hinted at above-average ability but has realised it this time in, winning the Hobartville Stakes before beating home the likes of Militarize for his first Group 1 success last time out.
Has been kept up to the mark with a trial since and is drawn perfectly in barrier 6, with only 49kgs in tow. Will take plenty of beating again.
20 – Southport Tycoon (20)
The final horse confirmed in the 2024 Doncaster Mile field is Australian Guineas winner, Southport Tycoon.
Turned in some fine performances in the spring and did look just a preparation short of finding his best form, and after only just missing in his first two runs back this time, both in Group 2 company, he produced an eye-catching turn of foot to easily win his first Group 1 title last time out.
He’s another that has been kept up to the mark with a trial since his latest appearance, he gets into the race extremely well at the weights, he’s just another that need luck in running after drawing wide.
21 – Nugget (9)
Nugget is the 2024 Doncaster Mile field’s first emergency.
It has been a long time since the seven-year-old son of Siyouni won a race, but 1600m at Randwick is his pet trip, and he managed to fill the minors in this race last year.
22 – Hinged (14)
Group 1 winner Hinged hasn’t returned to winning form for well over two years.
She was well beaten in the Emancipation Stakes last time out and will need two horses to be scratched to gain a start in the Doncaster Mile.
23 – Navajo Peak (18)
Navajo Peak is the 2024 Doncaster Mile third emergency and a rank outsider in the market.
24 – Palmetto (3)
Palmetto finished third in BM100 company in his first run back tis time and was well beaten in the Ajax Stakes.
He is unlikely to gain a start in the Doncaster Mile 2024.