Horse Racing

On Saturday April 9 a quality field of milers will take to the Randwick track for the $125,000 Group 3 Doncaster Mile Prelude (1600m), the last chance for many to make the 2011 Doncaster Mile field Saturday week.

The Doncaster Mile Prelude has drawn a field of 15 gallopers with the John O’Shea-trained Glintz the current $6 favourite to win having come up with the ideal barrier three draw.

The four-year-old Pins gelding is coming off a disappointing 10^th place finish behind Keepin’ The Dream in the Group 3 Newcastle Newmarket Handicap (1400m), but the punters are predicting a return to form over the mile.

More Joyous is favourite for the Doncaster Mile and the Prelude winner will earn a shot at her Saturday week

Glintz is a $101 roughie in the betting markets for the $2 million Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m), running at Randwick on Saturday April 16, behind raging $2 favourite More Joyous.

In a wide-open race there are four other Doncaster Mile Prelude runners at single-figure odds with Lebrechaun paying $7 and defending champion Brilliant Light, Snow Alert and Viking Hero all equal $9 third favourites.

The Matthew Dale-trained Lebrechaun is a consistent Canberra galloper that has also drawn ideally with barrier two for Saturday’s showdown.

Earlier this season the Iglesia five-year-old won the Listed National Sprint (1400m) at Canberra on Black Opal Day before travelling to Sydney where he ran a game third behind Pureness in the Group 2 Ajax Stakes (1500m) on March 26.

“He (Lebrechaun) obviously handles the wet tracks and his run the other day in the Ajax was very good,” Dale said.

“His last sectional was great which indicates the Randwick mile should suit him and it looks a similar field to his last start so he’ll be very competitive.”

The Kerry Parker-trained Brilliant Light (barrier eight) and Chris Waller’s Snow Alert (barrier 11) also come via the Ajax Stakes having run fourth and fifth respectively.

Brilliant Light won the Doncaster Prelude 12 months ago off the back of a victory in the Ajax Stakes before running third to Rangirangdoo in last year’s Doncaster Mile.

Other longer priced runners with the form to cause an upset include Chris Waller’s Danehill Dancer five-year-old Altered Boy ($11), Ajax Stakes runner-up Mentality ($10) and Norm Hilton’s Toowoomba galloper Bold Glance ($13).

Five-year-old Sequalo gelding Bold Glance was scheduled to run in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill last Saturday but missed the race after he dumped jockey Scott Seamer off the mount on way to the barriers.

The move cost Bold Glance the chance to qualify for the Doncaster Mile as he sits well down the order of entry in 71^st.

“He might get a Doncaster run with so many horses dropping out, but he needs a good gallop and this week’s race offers the winner guaranteed entry into the Doncaster,” Hilton said.

“It’s not ideal maybe having to back him up on successive Saturdays but that’s the hand we have to try and play now.

“This week’s race doesn’t look as strong so it could even work out to be a blessing in disguise for him.”

Randwick Race 4 Tips – 2011 Doncaster Mile Prelude

• #11 Altered Boy
• #15 Glintz
• #3 Brilliant Light
• #5 Bold Glance

The 2011 Doncaster Mile Prelude is due to run as Randwick Race 4 on Saturday at 1:45pm (AEST).

2011 Emirates Doncaster Mile Prelude Final Field & Barrier Draw