News

2009 AJC Emirates Doncaster Mile - Commentary

2nd Mar 2009

Racing NSW - Racing NSW Handicapping Panel - Monday, 2 March 2009

A total of 189 nominations were received for the 143rd running of the Doncaster Mile (Group 1) to be run at Royal Randwick on Saturday, 18th April 2009.

As with previous Doncasters, competitors were assessed relative to the Weight-for-Age scale. Two differences to previous years have been the change to the Weight-for-Age scale from 1st August 2008, and the lowering of the minimum weight for older male horses from 52.5kg to 51kg.

In accordance with AR103 (3) (b) and approval for 3YO fillies to have a minimum of 49.5kg, the following table below applies:-

Age & Sex 2009 Limit WFA
3YO Filly 49.5kg 54.5kg
3YO C & G's 51kg 56.5kg 4YO+ Mares 51kg 57kg
4YO+ E & G's 51kg 59kg

The limit for older male horses has been lowered to 51kg, as was the 2008 Epsom Handicap. Previous Doncaster Mile races have seen 4-year-old and up horses receive 1.5kg more than the mares and 3YO's minimum weight, whilst meeting on level terms in non-WFA lead up races.

Three-year-old horses have had a very good winning record in the race, winning 14 of the last 26, including last year with Triple Honour.

Weekend Hussler has been allocated a topweight of 60kg. Whilst unplaced at his previous four runs, Weekend Hussler has been very competitive at distances up to a mile, and won at Royal Randwick in 2008 over 1600m - the Group 1-Randwick Guineas. Since receiving a weight of 57.5kg as a 3YO in the 2008 Doncaster Handicap, Weekend Hussler has won three Group 1 races, one at 3YO set-weights and two at WFA; namely the George Ryder and the Underwood Stakes and two Group 2 wins at WFA; namely the Memsie and the Makybe Diva in the Melbourne spring. This record has resulted in Weekend Hussler's weight of 60kg.

El Segundo has been very lightly-raced since his 2007 Cox Plate victory and due to injury will be unlikely to compete, however, he would have been asked to carry a weight of 58.5kg.

Viewed has been given 57kg (6kg above the limit) on the strength of a 7 length victory in the 2008 Brisbane Cup, and winning the 2008 Melbourne Cup while 3kg above the limit.

The winner of four Group 1 races, including the 1600m Group 1-Futurity twice, Niconero will also be asked to carry 57kg.

Theseo, winner of the 2008 Group 1-Epsom Handicap over the same distance and the Group 1-Mackinnon Stakes in the spring, as well as the Group 2-St George recently, has been allocated 56.5kg.

Dual NZ Group 1 winner, Mufhasa, has been given 54.5kg on the strength of victories in the Group 1-Telegraph and Waikato Sprints at his last two starts.

Of the three-year-old colts and geldings, Sebring and Whobegotyou have both been allocated a weight of 54kg (-2.5kg WFA), with Sebring the champion 2-year-old of last season and Whobegotyou credited with outstanding performances in his 3YO season in the spring.

Tuesday Joy is the highest weighted mare, with a weight of 56.5kg. After being weighted in the race last year with 53.5kg (2.5kg above the limit), she has won the Group 1-Ranvet and Group 1-The BMW at WFA, as well as the Group 2-Apollo and Stocks Stakes.

Forensics has been given a weight of 55kg (4kg above the limit) after being given receiving 52.5kg last year as a filly (3kg above the limit), and subsequently winning the Group 1-Myer Classic against her own sex.

Dual Group 2 winner Hot Danish has been allocated a weight of 53.5kg and is one of only three horses in the top 25 of order of entry yet to win a Group 1 race; underlying the depth of this year's entries.

Whilst injury has halted her autumn campaign, the domination of the 3YO fillies group by Samantha Miss is shown by her allocated weight of 54.5kg (5kg above the minimum). This has been based on an almost flawless 3YO campaign, including a third placing in the Cox Plate. A weight of 5kg above the minimum places her in the select company of fillies such as Sunline and Skating.

Gallica (50.5kg) is the only other 3YO filly to receive weight above the minimum for her performance in winning the Group 1-1000 Guineas at Caulfield.