Toowoomba-based galloper Captain Sonador is set for a career at stud, connections retiring the four-year-old at the end of the 2011 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival in June.

Shamardal four-year-old Captain Sonador, trained by Roger Milne in Oakey, has just four Group 1 races left on the agenda before retiring.

Owner of the Epson Handicap winner Greg Wagner is currently in negotiations with a Queensland stud for them to purchase a 50% share of Captain Sonador for the next breeding term.

To date Captain Sonador has won six of his 27 career starts for close to $730,000 in prize money, but there is hope of more Group glory to add to his value as a sire during his upcoming autumn / winter campaign.

Milne has named the $2 million Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on April 16 as the major autumn assignment for his stable star.

Captain Sonador is currently rated a $26 chance to win the Doncaster in the early odds available at Luxbet.

Doncaster Mile betting is lead by Gai Waterhouse’s super mare More Joyous who is the $5.50 favourite ahead of $9.50 second elect Whobegotyou.

More Joyous and Whobegotyou are expected to face off in a Doncaster Mile preview for the punters in the $500,000 Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield this Saturday, February 26.

Before the Doncaster, Captain Sonador will line-up in the $400,000 Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on Golden Slipper Day, April 2.

Captain Sonador ran first-up for the year winning the Listed Goldmarket Handicap (1300m) at the Gold Coast before finishing third behind Bold Glance beaten by just half a length in the Magic Millions Cup (1400m) on January 15.

A barrier trial at Doomben next Tuesday with Shane Scriven aboard in preparation for the 2011 Doncaster Mile will show what type of form the galloper is currently in.

After the trial he will contest the $100,000 Gold Coast Stakes (1200m) on March 19 before heading to Sydney.

Following the Sydney Autumn Carnival, Captain Sonador will then travel back home to Queensland for the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival where the $650,000 Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1350m) on May 28 and the $1 million Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 11 will be his final two career starts.

Bookmark us here at Races.com.au to follow Captain Sonador throughout his upcoming preparation and to get behind him at the best odds in the country make sure you sign up with Luxbet now!

Photo courtesy (c) Steve Hart Photographics