Champion mare Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) has been replaced as favourite in an open market for the Gr.1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) which has attracted a capacity field.
Melody Belle, who shares top weight of 57kg with Epsom Handicap winner Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park), has drawn barrier 14 for Saturday’s A$1.5 million race and has been eased from $6 to $8 with three-year-old Brandenburg (NZ) (Burgundy) now the TAB’s top elect at $7.50.
Melody Belle will come in to barrier 11 if the emergencies do not gain a start while Brandenburg will move in from seven to five.
The John Sargent-trained Brandenburg will be ridden by Glen Boss who has won a record seven Doncasters.
Brandenburg caused an upset when he won the Gr.2 Hobartville Stakes as a $41 chance and has since run third in the Randwick Guineas (1600) and fourth in the weight-for-age George Ryder Stakes (1500m).
Chris Waller will be chasing a record equalling seven wins as a trainer and has eight horses in the field along with third emergency Reloaded (Snitzel).
Waller’s runners are Kolding ($12), Kings Will Dream (Casamento) ($26), Mister Sea Wolf (Amadeus Wolf) ($16), Yulong Prince (Gimmethegreenlight) ($26), Imaging (Oasis Dream) ($12), Star Of The Seas (NZ) (Ocean Park) ($41) Night’s Watch (NZ) (Redwood) ($26) and Shared Ambition (Born To Sea) ($9), while third emergency Reloaded is $26.
The Doncaster is one of four Group One races on the first day of The Championships which will be held behind closed doors amid the coronavirus pandemic.
