Top Sydney trainer Chris Waller will unleash a triple-pronged attack on this Saturday’s $2 million Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick and up-and-coming Mossman gelding Triple Elegance is the favourite of the Waller trio to take out the autumn feature.
Triple Elegance is second favourite behind More Joyous to win the Doncaster Mile
Four-year-old Triple Elegance sits on the second line of Doncaster Mile betting paying $7 behind Gai Waterhouse’s glamour mare More Joyous at $2.25.
More Joyous is the raging favourite following an ultra consistent prep that saw her bring her succession of Sydney wins to 10 last start with a blistering three length victory in the Group 1 Queen of the Turf Stakes (1500m) on Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill.
“The Doncaster this year is dominated by top mare More Joyous,” Luxbet’s premier bookmaker Paul Vincent told Races.com.au.
“Her current price is $2.25 and no horse has been this short in the event since Sunline (1999) who was a champion.
“For mine More Joyous is a big risk and I’ll be taking her on as I believe she is yet to perform in a high pressure race and her recent victories, although impressive, have been in small fields where she has just lobbed outside (the) leader.”
More Joyous has had four starts this season for four wins including two Group 1 victories bringing her total number of elite level titles to five.
However, the largest field the daughter of More Than Ready has faced this year was 10 in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 26.
In the Doncaster More Joyous faces a tough test having to beat home 17 classy rivals.
“I doubt she’ll get it that easy in a Doncaster,” Vincent said.
“I’m leaning towards the very talented Triple Elegance who ran a super race in the George Ryder when unsuited at WFA.”
After winning the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) at Warwick Farm, Triple Elegance most recently ran an eye-catching third behind last year’s Doncaster Mile winner Rangirangdoo in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on April 2.
In the George Ryder, Triple Elegance was beaten less than half a length after jumping from barrier five and carrying a hefty 59kg with regular rider Jim Cassidy aboard.
On Saturday in the Doncaster, Triple Elegance drops right back in the weights to just 51.5kg and has drawn ideally with barrier six.
“(Triple Elegance) drops significantly in weight for this,” Vincent said.
Cassidy has committed himself to riding Triple Elegance at the lightweight on Saturday, so impressed with the horse’s efforts.
“He (Triple Elegance) has the right form winning the Liverpool City Cup and his run in the George Ryder was outstanding,” Cassidy said.
“He drops in weight and I have been working with (fitness instructor) Malcolm (Ayoub) to be at my best for him.
Syreon is an outsider in the Doncaster Mile markets but is in career best form
“I’m going to be very strong and he will be as well.”
Waller’s other Doncaster hopes have drawn either side of their more favoured stablemate with Danleigh in barrier five and the improving Syreon in gate four.
“You couldn’t wish for more than that,” Waller said after Tuesday’s barrier draw.
“From those barriers they should each get their chance to win.
“All three have enjoyed a good preparation in the lead-up to the Doncaster and we’re now looking forward to raceday.”
Veteran seven-year-old Danleigh won the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) in a gritty effort back on March 5 at Warwick Farm before coming in ninth behind Rangirangdoo in the George Ryder and is sitting as a $21 chance in the Doncaster odds.
Fellow seven-year-old Syreon is an even longer-priced outsider, the son of Flying Spur currently paying a generous $41 for an upset on Saturday despite showing form with their last-start win in the Group 3 Queen’s Cup (2000m) at Rosehill on April 2.
“A knockout horse at huge odds is Syreon,” Paul Vincent told Races.com.au.
“(Syreon) is in career best form and draws perfectly to sit right on the speed.”
The 2011 Emirates Doncaster Mile is scheduled as Randwick Race 7 on Saturday and is due to jump at 3:35pm (AEST).
