An impressive ride from James McDonald in the Godolphin blue has seen Cascadian over the line in the Group 3 Doncaster Prelude (1500m) at Rosehill.

Cascadian wins the Doncaster Prelude 2020 in the last on Tancred Stakes Day. Photo: Steve Hart.

The British import savaged the line from the wide draw to win by half a length from Mask Of Time, while stablemate Gaulois ran on well for third to give trainer James Cummings plenty to think about ahead of next week’s $3 million Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick.

Cascadian was having his fourth run back after running third in the Group 2 Ajax Stakes (1500m) on a heavy track two weeks ago, but Cummings wouldn’t say for certain if he’d be backing up next week.

“There is no guarantee we will run him but he is absolutely flying, I had a really good feeling he was coming to a peak this preparation. He was ready to run a big race,” Cummings told Sky Racing.

Despite the uncertainty, Cascadian is now a $14 chance in futures Doncaster Mile odds at Ladbrokes.com.au after firming in from $26. Mask Of Time, meanwhile, has entered calculations as a long $41.00 chance.

The win made it four on the day for McDonald and his second in the Prelude after winning last year’s edition aboard Mister Sea Wolf. The 40-time Group 1 winner is now hoping he can add a Doncaster Mile to his resume after failing to run a place last year.

“He gave me a really good feel. That gets him exempt into the Doncaster and who is to say that he can’t be right in it right up to his ears,” McDonald said of Saturday’s win.

“He burst through. He was held up for a long way up that straight. He got out with a furlong to go and he was great. He wanted to have a good crack and gave me a good feel.”

All-In 2020 Doncaster Mile betting markets courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au can be viewed here.

2020 Doncaster Prelude Results