Doncaster Mile 2024 preview & betting tips | Saturday, April 6

What	Doncaster Mile
Where	Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031
When	Saturday, April 6, 2024
Prizemoney	$4,000,000
Distance	1600m
Status	Group 1
Conditions	Handicap
2023 winner	Mr Brightside (2) \| Ben & JD Hayes \| J: Zac Purton (55.5kg)
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The time-honoured Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) takes top billing on a bumper 10-race program at Royal Randwick this Saturday afternoon. The $4 million prize has attracted a capacity field of 20, plus four emergencies, with the likes of Everest (1200m) winner Think About It and Japanese raider Obamburumai headlining what is sure to be a mouth-watering edition of Australia’s classic 1600m handicap.

DONCASTER MILE 2024 ODDS

After a breathtaking display in the Group 3 Doncaster Prelude (1500m) at Rosehill on March 30, the Ciaron Maher-trained Another Wil has been crunched into favouritism as a +250 chance with online bookmakers. There is plenty of value on offer, however, with Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) winner Celestial Legend on the second line of betting at +500. Obamburumai (+800) rounds out those in single digits, while Militarize (+1000), Lady Laguna (+1200) and Southport Tycoon (+1800) have gained early support at double-figure odds.

2024 DONCASTER MILE SPEED MAP

The Brad Widdup-trained Phearson jumps from barrier 24 and only knows one way, and that’s to head forward. The Godolphin pair of Golden Mile (1) and Pericles (16) generally utilise their early speed, so expect them to be chomping at the heels of anything trying to cross to the rail. Lindermann (22) has shown early toe in the past, and Detonator Jack (2) has all the options from the inside draw under Tim Clark. Militarize (4), Celestial Legend (6) and Obamburumai (8) will be gaining economical runs in transit, while key market hopefuls like Southport Tycoon (20) and Another Wil (21) will need to make some early decisions to slot in for cover or risk being caught wide.

Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for the 2024 Doncaster Mile.

DONCASTER MILE 2024 PREVIEW & FORM

With Sydney expecting plenty of rain this week, conditions will play a massive part in assessing how to bet into this ultra-competitive Doncaster Mile.

The Les Bridge-trained Celestial Legend relished the Soft 6 surface in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on February 24, dominating his rivals before claiming his first Group 1 success in a testing edition of the Randwick Guineas on March 9. The three-year-old has been put away since, with a barrier trial victory to keep him up to the mark for this event. The stable has oozed confidence throughout the campaign, and with 49kg on his back, watch for Celestial Legend to be storming through the wire in the 2024 Doncaster Mile.

Obamburumai returns to Australia after a dominant victory in the Golden Eagle (1500m) on November 4 and appears primed to take on open company. With the Japanese raider being unraced since that event, this has been a major target for the Kenji Yoshimura-trained galloper. Damien Lane gets the ride this time, and with a soft run from barrier eight, Obamburumai should get every chance to make it back-to-back Australian victories.

Militarize was excellent when bursting into the minor money against the older horses in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) on March 23. He improves sharply when racing on rain-affected surfaces and has never missed the frame on wet tracks (5:3-1-1). Hong Kong’s leading hoop, Zac Purton, is searching for back-to-back wins in this race after saluting aboard Mr Brightside, and punters should expect Militarize to be a major player.

You can make a case for Semana at a massive price. The daughter of Winning Rupert was luckless in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) on March 16, being forced to race wide without cover for a significant part of the 1500m journey. She has a tricky draw in gate 17, but with no weight on her back, Semana warrants respect in a wide-open Doncaster Mile.

There is no knocking Another Wil, except perhaps the price. He may prove too classy and continue his winning ways, but with so many other betting propositions, he misses the top four.

2024 DONCASTER MILE SELECTIONS & BEST BETS

Selections:

19

CELESTIAL LEGEND
2

OBAMBURUMAI
4

MILITARIZE
17

SEMANA

$100 betting strategy
$40 win	#19 Celestial Legend @ +500 with Bet365
$30 win	#2 Obamburumai @ +800 with Unibet
$20 win	#4 Militarize @ +1000 with Neds
$10 win	#17 Semana @ +3300 with PlayUp