Racing: Doncaster favourite gets outside draw

Pre-post favourite All Silent and Kiwi veteran Sir Slick drew outside barriers for the A$2 million ($2.5 million) Doncaster Mile yesterday.

All Silent remains the A5.50 favourite, despite drawing barrier 16 in the 19-horse field. Sir Slick, a likely pacemaker, drew barrier 15.

Kiwi trainer Stephen McKee was satisfied when King Mufhasa received barrier 10.

King Mufhasa is expected to seek his favoured spot outside the leader, from where he finished a bold third in the group one George Ryder Stakes (1500m) on a heavy Rosehill track on April 4.

The Graeme Begg-trained All Silent retained his favourite status with TAB Sportsbet and top Sydney mare Hot Danish firmed in betting to A$7 after drawing barrier seven.

Melbourne 3-year-old Whobegotyou (barrier 19) and Ryder Stakes winner Vision and Power (barrier 12) were both at A$9.

King Mufhasa was A$15 on the seventh line of betting after the draw.

Weights were raised 0.5kg yesterday, leaving the Gai Waterhouse-trained Theseo as topweight with 57kg, King Mufhasa with 55kg and 10 horses on the minimum of 51.5kg.

McKee was happy after supervising King Mufhasa's final gallop at a rain-soaked Randwick.

"He looks really well. He's tightened a little bit from that run the other day so after his gallop today he should be ready," McKee said.

"I worked him on the dirt which is what he's used to. He had a good hitout, starting from the 1400m and running 1200m, he had a little blow and we should have him right."

McKee was concerned by the deluge that dumped 68ml of rain on the track on Monday.

But a sunny, breezy day yesterday and a fine forecast for the rest of the week had track manager Dave Hodgson predicting a dead rating on Saturday if the rain stayed away.

Meanwhile, Manawatu owner Bill Gleeson confirmed the Doncaster would "95 per cent likely" be Alamosa's final race before he stands at the Wellfield Stud later this year.

The Toorak Handicap winner, trained by Mick Price, will carry 56.5kg and was a A$23 chance after drawing barrier 18.

- NZPA

PUNTER EYES $473,000 COLLECT

A TAB Sportsbet customer stands to collect A$378,000 ($473,680) for a A$1000 outlay if Largo Lad can win Saturday's Doncaster Mile.

The customer took a double last week with AJC Australian Derby winner Roman Emperor and the David Hayes-trained Largo Lad, who drew barrier five and will be ridden by big-race horseman Glen Boss.

He has ridden the winners of four of the past five Doncasters - Triple Honour, Haradasun, Racing To Win and Private Steer.

- AAP