Potential is historically a major factor in the Doncaster Mile – often Australia’s best race – and it should come into play with Osipenko on Saturday on a Royal Randwick program hailed in the “does it get any better than this” category.
As good as the Doncaster promises to be, it is matched if not overshadowed by the TJ Smith, where the world-rated sprinter Nature Strip – aged but still with a wing on every hoof – will be tested by a bevy of youngsters and topliners.
Osipenko dives through on the inside of Zou Tiger to take out the Hobartville Stakes.Credit:Getty
The Australian Derby, which has been a significant feature since 1861, lacks the appeal of the Doncaster and TJ Smith, as does the other group 1, the Sires Produce for two-year-olds.
In the saddle, James McDonald (in the hot seat on Nature Strip) gets the chance to confirm his status as a jockey supreme against worthy contenders, particularly Zac Purton.
Weight will steady the best in a handicap like the Doncaster, and three-year-olds such as Osipenko have an edge that it usually takes a superstar to overcome.
Note “superstars” and not champions – a personal exhilaration transmitted to me by few. Going back to my first Doncaster (1959), it has only produced two champions – Sunline (2002) and Winx (2016) – but I marvel at the significance of those that haven’t given me the special feeling and thus emphasise the strength of this group one metric mile: consider Super Impose, Gunsynd and Tobin Bronze.
Super Impose was judged “Australia’s greatest miler” in Racing’s All-time Greats (written before Sunline and Winx) due to winning both the Doncaster and Epsom. It will never happen again. Modern exceptions stick to weight-for-age and clash with rivals on favourable terms.
Winning Post recently compiled an excellent list of the best over the distance. Tobin Bronze, which produced one of the most memorable Doncasters, didn’t figure. Tobin Bronze humped 59.5kg in 1967 and beat Cabochon with 46.5kg. Cabochon went onto to take two group 1s – the Epsom and Stradbroke – under big handicaps. Other triumphs for Tobin Bronze included two Cox Plates, a Victoria Derby and successes in the United States.
Imagine Anamoe, which is currently Australia’s finest, carrying 59.5kg against Osipenko with 46.6kg in the Doncaster. Few jockeys are so light these days, but Michael Dee is listed to ride Osipenko at y 49kg and, from the one gate, looks appealing from a very strong Chris Waller line-up. Finding the best of them deserves a bonus.
Osipenko (56kg) was beaten just over 1.3 lengths by Anamoe (59kg) in the George Ryder at Rosehill on March 18 at his first race start for a month, which emphasises not only how three-year-olds are assisted in the Doncaster but also the ability of Super Impose.
Seven consecutive three-year-olds notched the Doncaster before Super Impose in 1990 as a five-year-old. That is the same age as Saturday’s favourite Mr Brightside, which won the event last year under 50.5kg. The gelding, which was a strong winner of the All-Star Mile at Moonee Valley last Saturday, rises five kilos for his Doncaster defence.
Purton , who takes over on Mr Brightside, earned his “champion” title in the demanding Hong Kong environment where Jose Moreira, who is also here for a guest appearance, shone. Purton also replaces the injured Craig Williams on three-year-old Giga Kick in the TJ Smith.
Giga Kick can be sluggish early and needs a finish timed to perfection, and Purton, so cool on Artorius in similar circumstances in Canterbury Stakes at Randwick recently, has the necessary touch. It will be required, too, because the outstanding filly In Secret, fresh from her Newmarket victory at Flemington, is airborne.
Ben Melham, who is gaining a reputation for making a difference with saddle skill and power in the Nash Rawiller mould, will handle In Secret.
Even with their assistance, can the youngsters overshadow Nature Strip, the seasoned Private Eye and Mazu? And just how good is I Wish I Win?
What a day. Hopefully, I’m toasting the outcome with the ale of my choice with some satisfaction after the last.
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