More Joyous will take to the track today in an attempt to win her fifth straight Group victory in the $2 million Doncaster Mile today April 16, 2011.
Ratings analyst Gary Crispe is confident that more Joyous will have the ability to come through with the goods today and grant trainer Gai Waterhouse a record-equalling seventh Doncaster Handicap title.
“More Joyous has drawn nicely in barrier eight, is unbeaten at Randwick in four runs, and has won all five races at 1500m to 1600m,” Mr Crispe said.
Mr Crispe acknowledges that More Joyous will have a big task in carrying the 57 kilogram top-weight in the 2011 Doncaster Mile.
“In the last 100 years, just two mares will have carried more weight and won the Doncaster – Cuddle had 59kg in 1936 and Sunline carried 58kg to her second Doncaster win in 2002,” he said.
“Also, Maybe Mahal carried 57kg to win in 1978, so history tells us that it will be some effort by More Joyous if she can win.”
Mr Crispe sees More Joyous’ only concern as is the fact that this is only the second time in her career that she has been five runs into a preparation.
That time More Joyous finished fifth behind So You Think in last year’s Cox Plate.
“But apart from the 57kg, the only negative I can find is her record at her fifth run in from a spell,” Mr Crispe said.
“She has only gone this far into a campaign once previously and that was for the Cox Plate last spring, but there is no doubt she is better suited at 1600m.”
In a time where Black Caviar has stolen the hearts of Australia, More Joyous appears to be second in our mind when we are asked to name the current glamour girl of racing.
“If Black Caviar had not been racing at this time, all the headlines would have been centred around More Joyous,” Mr Crispe said.
“More Joyous has progressed to be one of the highest-rated Timeform gallopers in Australia today and one of the highest-rated mares in the last 40 years.
“She will bring a Timeform rating of 127 into the Doncaster Mile and although her task of conceding weight to accomplished performers will not be easy, I believe she can win.”
Mr Crispe feels that a win in today’s Doncaster Mile would reward More Joyous with the limelight she deserves.
“If she does take out the Doncaster, it will surely elevate her to sit alongside past great mares such as Sunline and Makybe Diva,” he said.
The question is now whether More Joyous will handle the heavy rain in Sydney and the subsequent Heavy rated track.
