It is a case of youth vs experience ahead of the Doncaster Mile 2023 with gun three-year-old Aft Cabin and veteran champion Zaaki headlining the 164 early entries for the $4 million feature.
Aft Cabin is one of the standout early 2023 Doncaster Mile nominations taken for the $4 million classic this autumn. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
Nominations for a host of the upcoming autumn majors closed this week including those for the Group 1 $4 million The Star Doncaster Mile (1600m).
Updated all-in Doncaster Mile odds online at Ladbrokes.com.au have the Godolphin-raced Aft Cabin on top at $6 followed closely by Annabel Neasham’s marvel Zaaki at $8.
The untapped James Cummings-trained Astern colt Aft Cabin made a brilliant return to racing on February 4 with an easy first-up win in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) ahead of what is being tipped as a huge campaign for the promising three-year-old.
Brutal (2019), Kermadec (2015) and Sacred Falls (2013) are the most recent three-year-old Doncaster Mile winners.
Aft Cabin holds an early entry for a host of Group 1 autumn events dominating betting on races including the Randwick Guineas and Rosehill Guineas.
Aft Cabin is one of five for Godolphin trainer Cummings in the entries along with fellow smart three-year-old Pericles, Caulfield Guineas winner Golden Mile, Character and 2021 Doncaster Mile winner Cascadian.
At the other end of the age scale is evergreen eight-year-old Zaaki.
The star import has amassed over $9.7 million in prize money ahead of his autumn return and was last seen successfully defending his title in Flemington’s Group 1 VRC Champions Stakes (2000m) over the Cup Carnival.
Neasham’s other standout Doncaster Mile entries in 2023 are Champions Stakes runner-up Mo’unga and the ultra-consistent Laws Of Indices whose last start produced a third at Sha Tin in the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) in December.
The Ben & JD Hayes-trained Mr Brightside is nominated for a title defence in the Doncaster looking to be the first back-to-back winner of the handicap classic since Sacred Falls (2013, 2014).
Among the other standout Hayes’ entries are So Si Bon, Gentleman Roy and Crosshaven.
Six-time winning trainer Chris Waller also returns looking for a seventh Doncaster Mile trophy and his first since the 2016 success of the mighty mare Winx.
Waller holds 20 entries led by his imported Cox Plate third place-getter El Bodegon, Group 1 winning mare Fangirl and his Flight Stakes winning filly Zougotcha.
Also being kept safe in all-in Doncaster Mile betting this season at $11 is Peter Moody’s $10 million The Golden Eagle winning four-year-old I Wish I Win.
Gai Waterhouse holds the equal Doncaster Mile record with her father Tommy Smith of seven wins and is in with a strong chance of further extending her success in with 10 entries she co-trains with Adrian Bott.
The early favourites from the Waterhouse/Bott stable include July Cup winning European mare Alcohol Free yet to race down under and brilliant Queensland expat Alligator Blood last seen winning the Champions Mile at the end of an outstanding spring prep from the six-year-old.
The 2023 Doncaster Mile first acceptances close on Tuesday March 7, 2023.
Click here for the latest all-in Doncaster Mile betting odds courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au.
2023 Doncaster Mile Nominations
| Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Hcp Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 37x41x973x | ACQUITTED (IRE) | G | 6 | Kris Lees | 89 |
| 2 | 0000x6142x | AEGON (NZ) | G | 5 | Andrew Forsman | |
| 3 | 2121×1 | AFT CABIN | C | 3 | James Cummings | 97 |
| 4 | 168x34913x | ALCOHOL FREE (IRE) | M | 5 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | |
| 5 | 9x1616x69x | ALENQUER (FR) | H | 5 | Michael Moroney | |
| 6 | 21x721551x | ALLIGATOR BLOOD | G | 6 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | |
| 7 | 217123820x | ARAPAHO (FR) | G | 6 | Bjorn Baker | 103 |
| 8 | 471x5110x7 | ARAVENE | M | 4 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 72 |
| 9 | 1227x2910x | ARGENTIA | M | 4 | Anthony & Sam Freedman | |
| 10 | 33x11x | ATTRITION | C | 3 | Mitchell Freedman | |
| 11 | 3x187x248x | AYRTON (NZ) | G | 5 | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | 102 |
| 12 | 5100x3200x | BANDERSNATCH | G | 6 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 102 |
| 13 | 46x770261x | BANKERS CHOICE (NZ) | G | 5 | Michael Moroney | |
| 14 | 422118x | BELLATRIX BLACK (NZ) | M | 4 | Kris Lees | 84 |
| 15 | 417x72476x | BELLE PLAISIR (NZ) | M | 6 | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | |
| 16 | 542x64260x | BENAUD | G | 4 | John O’Shea | 102 |
| 17 | 311x332x3x | BOIS D’ARGENT (GB) | G | 6 | Annabel Neasham | 96 |
| 18 | x1660x241x | BOLD MAC (NZ) | G | 5 | Chris Waller | 83 |
| 19 | 5111614x | BOOGIE DANCER | F | 3 | Peter G Moody | |
| 20 | 31450x100x | BRING THE RANSOM | M | 6 | Bjorn Baker | |
| 21 | 4713x607x4 | BROSNAN | C | 3 | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | 80 |
| 22 | 280x61052x | CALLSIGN MAV (NZ) | G | 6 | Danny O’Brien | |
| 23 | 91x341154x | CASCADIAN (GB) | G | 8 | James Cummings | |
| 24 | 421x40030x | CEPHEUS (GB) | G | 6 | Matthew Dunn | 91 |
| 25 | 11x111310x | CHAIN OF LIGHTNING | M | 4 | Peter G Moody | 104 |
| 26 | 010x73488x | CHARACTER | G | 4 | James Cummings | |
| 27 | 12126x1x | COGNITO | G | 3 | Mark Walker | |
| 28 | 2114122×3 | COMMUNIST | G | 3 | Michael Freedman | 82 |
| 29 | 3120x6900x | CONVERGE | G | 4 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 104 |
| 30 | 3x1211338x | CROSS TALK (NZ) | G | 5 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 95 |
| 31 | 248x56153x | CROSSHAVEN | G | 5 | Ben & JD Hayes | 101 |
| 32 | 73x | CUT ON A DIME | C | 3 | Bryce Heys | 58 |
| 33 | 6546x1699x | DALASAN | H | 6 | Leon Macdonald & Andrew Gluyas | |
| 34 | 06x300x32x | DAWN PASSAGE | G | 6 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | |
| 35 | 71x881401x | DIAMIL (IRE) | G | 5 | John O’Shea | 102 |
| 36 | 34x244x14x | DRAGON LEAP | G | 6 | Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott | |
| 37 | DUKE DE SESSA (IRE) | H | 4 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | ||
| 38 | 1416x1x50x | EARLSWOOD (GB) | H | 5 | Maddie Raymond | 105 |
| 39 | 11x7233x3x | EL BODEGON (IRE) | H | 4 | Chris Waller | 114 |
| 40 | 339x82524x | ELECTRIC GIRL | M | 6 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 105 |
| 41 | 1102x | ELKINGTON ROAD | G | 3 | Michael Moroney | |
| 42 | 1x43227x | ELLIPTICAL | C | 3 | Anthony & Sam Freedman | |
| 43 | 333x5163x7 | EXCELIDA | M | 6 | Ben & JD Hayes | |
| 44 | x135x5302x | FANCY MAN (IRE) | H | 5 | Annabel Neasham | |
| 45 | 5410x2562x | FANGIRL | M | 4 | Chris Waller | 109 |
| 46 | 11112x554x | FIREBURN | F | 3 | Gary Portelli | 106 |
| 47 | 11448x | FLAG OF HONOUR | G | 3 | Kris Lees | 70 |
| 48 | 21x1455x0x | FRANKIE PINOT | G | 6 | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | |
| 49 | 21x2146x1x | GENTLEMAN ROY | G | 6 | Ben & JD Hayes | |
| 50 | 11x21x | GOING GLOBAL (IRE) | M | 5 | Chris Waller | |
| 51 | 416x | GOLDEN AGE | G | 3 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 64 |
| 52 | 1x21411x2x | GOLDEN MILE | C | 3 | James Cummings | 102 |
| 53 | 6x713x515x | GREEN FLY (GB) | H | 4 | Anthony & Sam Freedman | |
| 54 | 324x53358x | HINGED | M | 4 | Chris Waller | 107 |
| 55 | HO O AMAZON (JPN) | H | 5 | Yoshito Yahagi | ||
| 56 | 32 | HOLLYWOOD HERO (NZ) | C | 3 | Bjorn Baker | |
| 57 | 127×1 | HOLYMANZ (NZ) | G | 3 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | |
| 58 | HOMETRUTHS (IRE) | M | 4 | Chris Waller | ||
| 59 | 2x3223180x | HOO YA MAL (GB) | H | 4 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 101 |
| 60 | 70x811142x | HOPE IN YOUR HEART | M | 4 | Kerry Parker | 105 |
| 61 | x9x13x110x | HOSIER (IRE) | G | 6 | Kris Lees | 96 |
| 62 | 11x3418x8x | HUETOR (FR) | G | 6 | Peter & Paul Snowden | 108 |
| 63 | 8x21x1x00x | HYPE (IRE) | G | 5 | Kris Lees | |
| 64 | x123x1151x | I WISH I WIN (NZ) | G | 4 | Peter G Moody | 110 |
| 65 | 33x722491x | ICEBATH (NZ) | M | 6 | Brad Widdup | 110 |
| 66 | 26x214225x | I’M THUNDERSTRUCK (NZ) | G | 5 | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | |
| 67 | x6160x270x | INSPIRATIONAL GIRL (NZ) | M | 7 | John Leek (Jnr) | 109 |
| 68 | 36x1159x1x | JACQUINOT | C | 3 | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | |
| 69 | 10x | JAPANESE EMPEROR (NZ) | G | 3 | Michael Moroney | |
| 70 | 129x08411x | JOJO WAS A MAN | G | 5 | John Thompson | 98 |
| 71 | x142x18x0x | KALAPOUR (IRE) | G | 6 | Kris Lees | 83 |
| 72 | 41327x113x | KALINO | G | 4 | Chris Waller | 87 |
| 73 | KING HERMES (JPN) | H | 4 | Yoshito Yahagi | ||
| 74 | 810x37122x | KING RATEL | G | 6 | Bryce Heys | 75 |
| 75 | 643x44131x | KIRWAN’S LANE (NZ) | G | 6 | John O’Shea | 108 |
| 76 | 72221x500x | KISS SUM | G | 4 | Tracey Bartley | 89 |
| 77 | 00x011960x | KISS THE BRIDE (NZ) | G | 7 | Bjorn Baker | 92 |
| 78 | 31112x314x | LA CRIQUE (NZ) | M | 4 | Simon & Katrina Alexander | |
| 79 | 11x712330x | LADY OF HONOUR | M | 4 | Ben & JD Hayes | 97 |
| 80 | 00x005739x | LAURE ME IN | G | 8 | David Pfieffer | 93 |
| 81 | 409x42833x | LAWS OF INDICES (IRE) | H | 5 | Annabel Neasham | 110 |
| 82 | 1156753x8x | LE VILLI (NZ) | M | 4 | Kris Lees | 85 |
| 83 | 12114x431x | LEVANTE (NZ) | M | 6 | Ken & Bev Kelso | |
| 84 | 716x2292x5 | LINDERMANN | C | 3 | Chris Waller | 74 |
| 85 | 8036x0025x | LION’S ROAR (NZ) | G | 5 | John O’Shea | 104 |
| 86 | 463x10494x | LOCH EAGLE | G | 4 | Kris Lees | |
| 87 | 8184x10x73 | LOVE TAP | G | 5 | Richard & Will Freedman | 95 |
| 88 | 302x26922x | LUNCIES (GB) | G | 6 | Kris Lees | |
| 89 | 6x12x5261x | MADAME POMMERY | F | 3 | Chris Waller | 104 |
| 90 | 17x2115x0x | MAGICAL LAGOON (IRE) | M | 4 | Chris Waller | |
| 91 | 219281x | MANZOICE | C | 3 | Chris Waller | 104 |
| 92 | 534x1224x | MATCHA LATTE | C | 3 | Mark Newnham | 88 |
| 93 | 311x00707x | MILTON PARK | G | 5 | John Moloney | |
| 94 | 26x032852x | MO’UNGA (NZ) | H | 5 | Annabel Neasham | 112 |
| 95 | 41x115473x | MR BRIGHTSIDE (NZ) | G | 5 | Ben & JD Hayes | |
| 96 | 3x5411149x | MR MAESTRO (NZ) | C | 3 | Andrew Forsman | |
| 97 | 78111x220x | MR MOZART | H | 4 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 103 |
| 98 | 27x211210x | MUSTANG VALLEY (NZ) | M | 4 | Andrew Forsman | |
| 99 | 161x13x16x | MY OBERON (IRE) | G | 6 | Annabel Neasham | |
| 100 | 4100x | MY TRUTH (NZ) | G | 3 | Anthony Cummings | 64 |
| 101 | 0x1804x79x | NEW MANDATE (IRE) | G | 5 | Chris Waller | 100 |
| 102 | 0x01102x0x | NIGHT OF ROMANCE (GB) | M | 5 | Kris Lees | 96 |
| 103 | 15x31435x | NORTH STAR LASS | F | 3 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 98 |
| 104 | 2x14x2111x | NUGGET (GB) | G | 6 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 104 |
| 105 | 123x12713x | OLD FLAME (GB) | H | 5 | Peter & Paul Snowden | 102 |
| 106 | 12x73x5 | OSIPENKO (NZ) | C | 3 | Chris Waller | 91 |
| 107 | 2147x4500x | OUR PLAYBOY | G | 5 | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | |
| 108 | 475x51260x | PACIFIC WARRIOR | G | 4 | Anthony Cummings | 57 |
| 109 | 55115322x | PAVITRA | F | 3 | Richard & Will Freedman | 92 |
| 110 | 1238x | PERICLES | G | 3 | James Cummings | |
| 111 | 1211x3x | PIER (NZ) | G | 3 | Darryn & Briar Weatherley | |
| 112 | 1150x2360x | PINSTRIPED | G | 4 | Enver Jusufovic | 94 |
| 113 | 250x71537x | PRIDE OF JENNI | M | 5 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | |
| 114 | x04x34790x | PROFONDO | H | 4 | Richard Litt | 105 |
| 115 | 2415x7109x | PROMISE OF SUCCESS (GB) | M | 7 | John O’Shea | 108 |
| 116 | 1x1x | PROTAGONIST (FR) | G | 6 | William Haggas | |
| 117 | 1x | PURPLEPAY (FR) | M | 4 | William Haggas | |
| 118 | 40914x058x | RANCH HAND | G | 4 | Chris Waller | 91 |
| 119 | 43x8348x6x | RIDDLE ME THAT | G | 6 | Matt Laurie | |
| 120 | 0790x0816x | RIODINI (NZ) | G | 6 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 102 |
| 121 | 1x14x4541x | RIOT AND ROSE (NZ) | G | 5 | Peter G Moody | |
| 122 | 1x3210x90x | RISE OF THE MASSES | C | 3 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 79 |
| 123 | 411x88610x | RUSTIC STEEL | G | 5 | Kris Lees | 105 |
| 124 | 11x3x | RUTHLESS DAME (NZ) | F | 3 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | |
| 125 | 134x18414x | SAINT BATHANS | G | 4 | Andrew Forsman | |
| 126 | 1x0311x81x | SHEEZA BELTER | F | 3 | Peter & Paul Snowden | 103 |
| 127 | 117x13138x | SHE’S LICKETYSPLIT (NZ) | F | 3 | Andrew Forsman | |
| 128 | x219x2232x | SIBAAQ (GB) | G | 5 | Annabel Neasham | 101 |
| 129 | 08x013534x | SIRILEO MISS | M | 5 | Symon Wilde | |
| 130 | 042357341x | SO SI BON | G | 9 | Ben & JD Hayes | |
| 131 | 2x | STATEMENT (IRE) | M | 5 | Joseph O’Brien | |
| 132 | 396x05232x | STEINEM (GB) | M | 5 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | |
| 133 | 115x23x09x | SUBCONSCIOUS (USA) | G | 5 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | |
| 134 | 20x155021x | SUREFIRE (GB) | G | 5 | Chris Waller | 103 |
| 135 | 139x | TAJNEED | F | 3 | Peter & Paul Snowden | 78 |
| 136 | 240x6x2x6x | TAZARAL (IRE) | G | 5 | Peter & Paul Snowden | 73 |
| 137 | 3x6463681x | THE ASTROLOGIST | G | 6 | Leon & Troy Corstens | |
| 138 | 313527126x | THE BIG SHORT (FR) | H | 4 | Chris Waller | |
| 139 | 152732x | THE FORTUNE TELLER | C | 3 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | |
| 140 | 113x11x | THINK ABOUT IT | G | 4 | Joseph Pride | 76 |
| 141 | 74x319x64x | THIRD REALM (GB) | H | 5 | Anthony & Sam Freedman | |
| 142 | TIMES SQUARE (FR) | M | 4 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | ||
| 143 | 6x6220151x | UNCLE BRYN (GB) | G | 5 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | |
| 144 | 11212x143x | VISINARI (FR) | G | 6 | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | 96 |
| 145 | 2x | VON HAUKE (NZ) | C | 3 | Cliff Brown | |
| 146 | 7316x7112x | VRENELI | G | 5 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 91 |
| 147 | 35132×3124 | WAITAK (NZ) | G | 3 | Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott | |
| 148 | 3x1x1191x | WATERFORD (IRE) | H | 4 | Chris Waller | 85 |
| 149 | 21x2160x0x | WELWAL (GB) | H | 4 | Chris Waller | 95 |
| 150 | 112x55x75x | WESTERN EMPIRE (NZ) | G | 5 | John Leek (Jnr) | |
| 151 | 6111112x | WILD NIGHT (NZ) | G | 3 | Mark Walker | |
| 152 | 13x85135x7 | WILLIAMSBURG | C | 3 | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | 85 |
| 153 | 112x1041x | WILLINGA RUFIO | G | 4 | Mark Newnham | 78 |
| 154 | WIN CARNELIAN (JPN) | H | 6 | Yuichi Shikato | ||
| 155 | 112x2x638x | WOLVERINE (NZ) | F | 3 | Kris Lees | 91 |
| 156 | 30x25x112x | WORSFOLD | G | 6 | Nick Ryan | |
| 157 | 291x24142x | YAPHET | G | 4 | Cliff Brown | |
| 158 | 13 | YASUKE | C | 3 | Chris Waller | |
| 159 | 4x356x370x | YEARNING | M | 4 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | |
| 160 | 213x13341x | ZAAKI (GB) | G | 8 | Annabel Neasham | |
| 161 | 92x3114x | ZENNZELLA | F | 3 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 84 |
| 162 | x4147x000x | ZEYREK (FR) | G | 6 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 93 |
| 163 | 22x183x2 | ZOU TIGER | C | 3 | John O’Shea | 89 |
| 164 | 125x111x | ZOUGOTCHA | F | 3 | Chris Waller | 106 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
