Another Wil sweating on start in Doncaster Prelude with Group 1 Doncaster Mile bid on a knife’s edge
He’s been the subject of a huge betting move, but Another Wil is struggling to make the final field for Saturday’s Doncaster Prelude, let alone the big Group 1 Randwick mile.
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A late bid to earn rising star Another Wil a dream berth in Saturday week’s Doncaster Mile hangs in the balance despite a sustained betting move on the Victorian raider for this Saturday’s qualifying event at Rosehill Gardens.
The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding was set to chase the back door entry into the Group 1 field via Saturday’s Group 3 Doncaster Prelude (1500m), which offers ballot exemption into next week’s famous $4m mile.
But Maher, who has nominated four runners for the race, will on Wednesday morning be sweating on a start in the race for his top seed.
Another Wil sits 21st in the ballot order for the Prelude, which attracted 32 nominations for a final field of 16 runners and six emergencies.
Maher has also nominated Southport Tycoon, Nugget and Berkshire Shadow for the Prelude.
“We knew exactly where Another Wil was ratings wise so always knew it was going to be touch and go, so hopefully he gets his chance on Saturday,” Maher said.
“Southport Tycoon is not going to the Prelude and Nugget trialled on Monday so he will go straight to the Doncaster but Berkshire Shadow may also start.”
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Despite needing several horses above him not to accept, Another Wil has been the subject of a sustained betting move with TAB since markets opened for Saturday’s meeting.
The smart son of Street Boss opened at $15 on Monday but by that evening had been backed into favouritism before shortening further from $3.50 to $2.30 by lunchtime on Tuesday.
TAB confirmed Another Wil holds around 70% of the money in early Doncaster Prelude betting with plenty of punters snapping up the early each-way price.
Maher has also nominated Another Wil for the HKJC World Pool Benchmark 88 Handicap as a back-up plan.
Another wil 🔥 pic.twitter.com/9w0SZWj7n7
— Mg (@SportsCh4tter) March 19, 2024
Another Wil has made an excellent start to his career with four wins and two placings from six starts.
The four-year-old put a trip to Sydney on the agenda with a slashing 4-1/2 length win over the mile at Flemington on March 2 but hasn’t raced since.
He is on the third line of betting for the Doncaster Mile at $9 alongside Think About It.
Maher also has Australian Guineas winner Southport Tycoon on a Doncaster Mile path and the three-year-old colt got his first taste of Sydney racing on Tuesday morning with a trial at Warwick Farm.
1⃣ Miss Hades
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) March 25, 2024
2⃣ Southport Tycoon
3⃣ O'Ziggy
The @GaryPortelli filly leads all the way to win a Warwick Farm trial on Tuesday, just holding the Australian Guineas winner, with @jamieleekah07 up, in the 1200m gallop. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/y9ffByIPHf
Southport Tycoon hit the line under a strong hold from star jockey Jamie Kah, finishing runner-up to Miss Hades in a 1200m barrier hit out.
Kah will continue her partnership with Southport Tycoon in Saturday week’s Group 1 $4m Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Royal Randwick in which the son of Written Tycoon has the featherweight of 49kg and is an $11 chance.
Originally published as Another Wil sweating on start in Doncaster Prelude with Group 1 Doncaster Mile bid on a knife’s edge
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