Chris Waller's Sacred Falls (NZ) is facing no easy task as he bids for a historic third consecutive G1 Doncaster Mile under top-weight. The 5-year-old faces a full field in the 150th running of one of Australia's most popular races, with four reserves also hoping to secure a last-minute berth. The market leader, despite being drawn widest of all, is Bart and James Cummings' Hallowed Crown (Aus), who has won the G2 Hobartville S. and G1 Randwick Guineas since the start of 2015, with first reserve Sweynesse (Aus) running second on both occasions.
His most dangerous rival is expected to be Japan's Real Impact (Jpn), who caused an upset when landing the G1 George Ryder S. on his Australian debut under an astute ride by James McDonald, who is back in the irons Saturday. The in-form hoop has reported to be pleased about his mount's wide draw, telling Racing and Sports, “If I was inside 10 it would have been a lot worse. I'm in a great gate out there [in post 21]. I can do what I want. He's not the best beginner so if I can just keep him happy it will be to his benefit.” Fellow Japanese raider World Ace (Jpn) will attempt to redeem himself, having disappointed when a well-fancied 11th in the George Ryder.
Gai Waterhouse will saddle three runners–a figure that could only be bested by Chris Waller, should the well-backed Kermadec (NZ) get a run–and has been particularly upbeat on the chances of French import Pornichet (Fr), a £425,000 purchase from the stable of Nicolas Clement at the inaugural Goffs London Sale. The 4-year-old tuned in for this assignment with an eye-catching victory in the G3 Neville Sellwood S. last Saturday, and the conditioner wrote in her column on Racing.com “He is very well, and I mean VERY WELL, suited at the weights and the wetter the better. It would not be Easter in Sydney without rain and Pornichet grows a leg in the wet. He is peaking at the right time and will be hard to beat.”
Another European import who looks sure to relish the expected give in the ground is Godolphin's It's Somewhat. The gelding was a Listed winner for Mark Johnston in the UK, and like several of his stablemates has blossomed since relocating Down Under. He won the G3 Liverpool City Cup first-up, and although he was soundly beaten in the G1 George Ryder S., connections have expressed plenty of confidence. “Going third-up into the mile, I think it's ideal for him,” Godolphin's assistant trainer Darren Beadman told Racenet. “He's a ready-made racehorse and from a good draw with Craig Williams riding, he should get a nice economical run and be in the right spot.” “He's got that action that seems to handle wet-ground, that high knee action,” Beadman added.
Arabian Gold (Aus) passed a veterinary inspection Wednesday, having suffered from a corn in his off-fore foot, yet trainer David Vandyke has expressed worries that the problem could flare up again before the race.
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