Last year’s champion, Celestial Legend, has been scratched from today’s Doncaster Mile 2025 field on vet’s advice paving the way for Rise At Dawn to run in the $4 million Randwick feature.

The Les Bridge trained son of Dundeel was officially withdrawn from this afternoon’s Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) on race morning.

The horse won last year’s race on a Heavy (8) track over Pericles and Militarize but will not get the chance to defend his title leaving Mr Brightside (2022-23) as the last dual Doncaster Mile champion for another season.

Ben, Will & JD Hayes‘ first emergency, Rise At Dawn, takes his place in the starting line-up from barrier two with Tyler Schiller to ride.

Ben & JD Hayes chase their third Doncaster win in four years having prepared Mr B for his back-to-back wins, while Schiller attempts his second victory in as many years after riding Celestial Legend to victory last autumn.

A four-year-old son of Almanzor, Rise At Dawn carries 51kg and is installed at current Doncaster Mile odds of $31 through Ladbrokes.com.au.

An eight-time winner from 14 career starts, the gelding has a brilliant 1600m strike rate (7:4-2-0) but sees Randwick for the first time in Race 8 this afternoon.

At his latest he crossed over four lengths back sixth to Tom Kitten in Flemington’s Group 1 All-Star Mile (1600m) when beating home just one other runner on March 8.

He could be set for a sharp improvement on that WFA run with 59kg however dropping notably in weight.

The latest Doncaster Mile betting markets have the Ciaron Maher trained Gringotts as the $6 favourite in gate six with Tommy Berry riding the last start Group 1 George Ryder Stakes champ.

Randwick Guineas winner at the track and trip, Linebacker, is next best at $7 for John O’Shea & Tom Charlton.

The Doncaster Mile scheduled start time is for 4:35pm (AEDT).

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