Upset winner of the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday, Centennial Park has earned a shot at the upcoming $2 million Doncaster Mile, one of the most lucrative and anticipated races of the Sydney Autumn Carnival.
Five-year-old Centennial Park produced a career best run and broke an eleven race losing streak in the Expressway Stakes to claim a dominant victory over Love Conquers All and $2 favourite Hot Danish.
Despite the Thorn Park gelding pulling up sore following Saturday’s success, trainer David Payne is certain Centennial Park will recover in time to contest the $250,000 Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) on February 19 at Rosehill Gardens.
Another runner on way to the 2011 Apollo Stakes is eight-year-old Vision And Power, scratched from Saturday’s Expressway Stakes due to the unsuitably hot and dry conditions.
Payne has named the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on April 16 as the main autumn target for Centennial Park.
In the early 2011 Doncaster Mile odds and betting markets, Luxbet have Centennial Park as a $51 chance.
More Joyous is the dominant $7 favourite followed by weight-for-age star Whobegotyou paying $9 to win the Doncaster through Luxbet.
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