2025 Doncaster Prelude: Jockey Chad Schofield praying for rain ahead of his ride on Amenable

A little help from the weather gods could hold the key to classy campaigner Amenable ending a frustrating run of outs in the Group 3 Doncaster Prelude at Rosehill.

A little help from the weather gods could hold the key to classy campaigner Amenable ending a frustrating run of outs in Saturday’s Group 3 $250,000 Doncaster Prelude (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens.

Jockey Chad Schofield says he will be doing the rain dance as he attempts to propel the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr-trained galloper to his first win since August 19, 2023.

Schofield was aboard Amenable when the gelding went close to winning the Group 1 All Aged Stakes on a bottomless track last autumn, finishing runner-up to Magic Time.

Up to 60mm of rain forecast in Western Sydney on race day and showers predicted on Friday would work in Amenable’s favour.

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Schofield is confident the smart son of Lonhro is back in top order after winding up strongly from the back to just miss behind Sandpaper in the Group 3 Newcastle Stakes (1400m) at Newcastle.

“Amenable arguably should have won first-up,” Schofield said.

“We were conservative from the barrier on him early and he I think just tactical position ended up probably getting him beat.

“Nonetheless, the horse has gone super and by all reports, the horse has come through the run really well.

“He definitely likes a rain affected track so I will be doing a couple of rain dances before Saturday for him and a few of my other rides.”

Sandpaper WINS the Newcastle Stakes for @BBakerRacing! 🏆

What a ride from Amenable on the outside too! pic.twitter.com/Bu4IVmRoWR

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 7, 2025

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Amenable ($5.50) sits on the second line of betting for the Doncaster Prelude with the Marc Conners-trained Willaidow ($5) holding sway with the bookies.

No horse has ever won the Doncaster Prelude and gone on to win the main event the following week.

Another Wil blew away his rivals in last year’s Doncaster Prelude and was a clear $3.60 favourite in the Doncaster but could only manage seventh at Randwick.

Amenable would carry the lightweight of 52.5kg if he was to line up in next week’s Doncaster, in which he is currently rated a $51 outsider.

Originally published as 2025 Doncaster Prelude: Jockey Chad Schofield praying for rain ahead of his ride on Amenable