In-form gelding Another Wil heavily backed to clinch Doncaster Mile start

Ciaron Maher expects Another Wil to take the next step this weekend in his bid to secure a Doncaster Mile start as all-in punters breathed a sigh of relief.

Another Wil has snuck into the field for the Group 3 Doncaster Prelude at Rosehill on Saturday, Picture: George Sal/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Another Wil needed to clear a hurdle just to line up at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday but trainer Ciaron Maher expects his exciting galloper to take the next challenge in his stride as he attempts to take the backdoor into coveted Doncaster Mile field.

Maher’s emerging star will chase a late entry into Saturday week’s $4m feature via this week’s Group 3 Doncaster Prelude (1500m) in Sydney.

Another Wil was the subject of a sustained betting move for the race when TAB all-in betting opened on Monday, shortening from $15 into $2.30 favouritism late on Tuesday afternoon.

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But the highly-promising son of Street Boss had to sweat on a start in the Doncaster Mile qualifier after landing among the emergencies before earning a start following the scratching of Caesars Palace on Wednesday.

The four-year-old comes to Sydney in red-hot form with a hat-trick of wins already to his name following a series of impressive displays at Sandown Hillside, Caulfield and Flemington.

Maher had no hesitation raising the bar again as he sets his sights on one of Sydney racing’s biggest crowns.

“He is getting through his grades and winning with similar authority which is tough to do,” Maher said.

“He is a big scoopey horse and is certainly progressive.

“We knew it was going to be touch and go (to get in the field) with his rating to get a start so happy that he gets his chance.”

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Another Wil has been based out of Maher’s Warwick Farm stable for several weeks to begin preparing for the Doncaster Mile where Group 1-winning stablemate Southport Tycoon as well as Nugget are also being aimed.

Maher, who also accepted with Berkshire Shadow ($19) in the Prelude, has been satisfied with the progress that Another Wil has made since making the move north, including in the aftermath of his trial win over 1030m at Rosehill Gardens on March 18.

“I thought he handled himself pretty well in his trial,” Maher said.

“He hadn’t done a lot since his last run so we got him up there.

“He did a piece of work the Sydney way of going and then the trial. He seemed to handle it no problem.

“He is a pretty clean actioned horse. Jamie (Kah) said he felt good.”

Ashrun will have his final lead-up for the Group 1 Sydney Cup in the Tancred Stakes. Picture: Scott Barbour/Racing Photos via Getty Images

While Another Wil is set to be one of the most anticipated runners on the program, Maher will also get the chance to chase Group 1 glory with resurgent stayer Ashrun poised to take an important step towards the Sydney Cup in this week’s $1.5m Tancred Stakes (2400m).

Ashrun scored his first win in more than 3½ years last start when the eight-year-old captured the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m).

The veteran son of Authorized spent close to three years on the sidelines due to tendon issues before returning last spring and finishing fourth in the Melbourne Cup.

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“Ashrun is similar to Post Impressionist, his target has always been the Sydney Cup and he is good at the two-mile,” Maher said.

“It was a stamina test last start that played into his hands and he is going up there in good order.

“He has been at the two-mile a couple of times and be very impressive so that’s always been his target and he’s certainly in as good a form as he was during the spring, possibly even better.”

Maher will saddle up stakes chances across the blockbuster feature card with Australian Derby candidates Dunbelievin’ ($34) and Mornington Pier ($34) both contests the Group 2 $300,000 Tulloch Stakes (2000m).

Dunbelievin’ has had a crucial gear change after failing to beat a runner home last start while Mornington Pier is coming off a confidence boosting success at Newcastle.

“We put the shades on Dunbelievin’ and for whatever reason, the start before he ran well and looked like he needed some focus so we put them on. It didn’t seem to help at all and probably did the opposite,” Maher said.

“Mornington Pier is a likeable type and I think he will get over further so should get his chance.”

Normandy Bridge, Cadre Du Noir and United Nations make up a three-pronged attack in the Group 3 $250,000 Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m), Odinson is in the Group 3 $250,000 Baillieu Quality (1400m) while She’s All Class and Ruthless Dame are in the Group 2 $300,000 Emancipation Stakes.

Originally published as In-form gelding Another Wil heavily backed to clinch Doncaster Mile start