The Famous Doncaster Mile – The feature handicap event of the autumn. Form lines from everywhere, 3YOs and heavyweights all combine for one of the main editions of the carnival.
Dean Watling goes runner by runner through the 2026 field.
Get Dean’s full preview of Randwick here
Gringotts – Arguably brings the best formline to this when 2.8L off Autumn Glow in the G1 George Ryder. Yes, he has to lug the big weight and will want it dry, but gets a lovely run from an inside draw.
Pericles – Trapped wide in the George Ryder before sticking on very gamely in the concluding stages, again through the Autumn Glow formline. If he is to win, Williams will need to be brave early and push forward with 500m until the turn.
Headley Grange – The most improved galloper in the land at the minute, keeps raising the bar and looks well placed back to 54.5kg from a dream draw. Speed on, he’ll be in the finish.
Evaporate – Going well enough, looks much better suited back to handicap conditions here over the mile. Gate 12 does give him options early too.
Linebacker – Solid first up in the G1 Canterbury Stakes before a plain second up effort in the George Ryder. Big positive is the booking of Lloyd and he maps well. Needs to find form quickly here.
Militarize – He’ll get back and look to be saved for one run. A high-pressure 1600m mile with give in the ground is as good a setup as he can get. Sneaky chance.
Autumn Boy – Rode the strong tempo in the Randwick Guineas when no match for Sheza Alibi, dominant in the Rosehill Guineas and now goes 2000m back to 1600m with blinkers going on. Lovely setup. Loses McDonald and draws in — negatives.
Steparty – Gritty effort last start in the All-Star Mile, handles dry and soft, maps well but can be a hard horse to trust.
Vivy Air – You could argue this mare should have won the G1 Coolmore first up with a better ride. Lovely second-up record and is another who loves a fast tempo, spacious track and time to wind up. Cracking roughie.
Attica – Can’t entertain him at 1600m. Has looked to want 2000m+ all prep.
Crystal Clear – Impressive fresh win, handles both good and soft. Overall, he’s the map horse – should have no excuses.
Scheelite – Looks the leader on paper, got every favour last start and looks out of his depth here.
Encap – If he’s going to win again, this is the setup he’s after. The big worry is gate 4 – he’ll be locked up on the fence with it all to do.
Hellsing – Racing extremely well, rock hard fit, map suits his racing pattern but looks outclassed.
Sheza Alibi – Breathtaking win in the Randwick Guineas, with a better ride you could suggest she wins by even further. Love her draw – she’ll land 3-wide with cover and Jamie can push the button on her own accord. If she’s in the mood she was last start, we may see something special. The one to beat.
Sixties – Racing well, back to 1600m is a big tick. 3YOs have a terrific profile, but he’ll need a stack of luck to offset the draw.
Selections:
(15) Sheza Alibi
(3) Headley Grange
(9) Vivy Air
(7) Autumn Boy
