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By Nick Berney

An in-depth look at every runner in the $4 million Star Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

1. Alligator Blood (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott): is a five-time Group 1 winner and has earnt the top weight. He had all favours first-up when winning the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Sandown Lakeside after controlling the race but responded well under pressure. The gelding then started the $2.80 favourite in the All Star Mile (1600m), and his run had merit. He chased a fast tempo throughout and fought on bravely whilst the other on-pace runners faded. The six-year-old is consistent and can figure but no real edge at the current price.

2. Mr Brightside (Ben & JD Hayes): Is the defending champion and profiles well to go back-to-back. He has a strong platform and produced a career peak figure when winning the All Star Mile (1600m) last start. Although well-ridden, he did it in style and ran over the top of his rivals, running some of the fastest closing splits of the meeting. He jumps up 5kg in weight in this year's edition, but he is an improved horse, maps to have all favours and gets the significant jockey booking of Zac Purton. Multiple positives and deserves favouritism.

3. Kirwan's Lane (John O'Shea): Scratched.

4. My Oberon (Annabel Neasham): Forgiving of both runs this time in, but he must find his form from last prep to figure. Needs to improve significantly to rate.

Fangirl (Pic: Bradley Photos)

5. Fangirl (Chris Waller): Has had the perfect preparation to peak for her grand final, and her ratings/sectional profile supports this. The four-year-old has raced well this campaign at WFA level whilst having factors against, and we can draw a strong line through her performances/starting prices against Anamoe. The wide draw is of little concern as the anticipated genuine tempo will offset that, and champion jockey Joao Moreira rides. In addition, back to a handicap suits, the Randwick mile is ideal, and expect her to be savaging the line. Huge chance and represents value.

6. Going Global (Chris Waller): Is a Group 1 winning import and has trialled well enough leading into this. She has won 10 out of his 17 starts, maps well, and her overseas form lines suggest she can run a race. Key market watch.

7. Converge (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott): Has bounced back into form this prep, and although being suited by the pace last start in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m), he never shirked his task to the line. He gets the most favourable weight swing against the rivals he faced that day, dropping 7kg. His peak performance/figure came at this track/distance when winning the Randwick Guineas (1600m) two campaigns ago. He is a definite on-pace hope but has been well-found in early markets.

8. Duke De Sessa (Ciaron Maher & David Eustace): Is an import who is a dual Group 3 winner in Ireland, and his overseas figures line up well here. His recent form is over more ground, but he looked sharp winning a recent trial at Warwick Farm, and he wasn't extended going through the line full of energy. He is a critical late market watch and looks over the odds.

9. Gentleman Roy (Ben & JD Hayes): Is a tough on-pace runner but wasn't suited last start in the All Star Mile (1600m). He faced the breeze in a fast tempo, had to bring the field up to a tearaway leader and then was left in front a long way from home. 1400m does look his best distance, but he can give a sight.

10. Lion's Roar (John O'Shea): Was solid first-up running eighth in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m). He is an improver second-up, but he hasn't won in a long time.

11. Nugget (Ciaron Maher & David Eustace): Chased a fast tempo in the All Star Mile (1600m), and his momentum was halted slightly at a critical stage. He gets the most positive weight swing against his rivals that come through that form reference. He is consistent but has been up for a while and draws tricky for his racing pattern.

Bandersnatch (Pic: Bradley Photos)

12. Bandersnatch (Team Hawkes): Had all favours but bolted in last week in the Group 3 Doncaster Prelude (1500m), where he showed a sharp turn of foot and was holding all his rivals on the line. Moreover, repeating that figure can put him in the finish, and he maps to have all favours. Goes in wider exotics.

13. Golden Mile (James Cummings): Has performed below market expectations this prep but is coming through a WFA campaign. He must be respected coming out of the Godolphin camp, but he needs to improve.

14. Mustang Valley (Andrew Forsman): Was run to suit in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) and ran on ok. She draws a kind gate but needs to step significantly to win.

15. Hope In Your Heart (Kerry Parker): Won well first-up and then ran an even fourth in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m). She is an underrated mare and is much more suited to this event getting in with 50.5kg. Expect her to be ridden cold and hit the line hard late. Goes in wider exotics.

16. Zougotcha (Chris Waller): Is a lightly raced improver and another key runner who historically profiles well. She easily won the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) and showed the key attribute of acceleration. Further, all indicators suggest she is ready to explode and can excel in a genuine tempo. The filly won the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) third-up last prep at this track/distance and is a major player.

17. Protagonist (William Haggas): Had every chance winning the Group 3 Sky High Stakes (2000m), and that form has subsequently been confirmed with Zeyrek winning last week. The international raider comes out of an astute stable with a fantastic record in OZ and should only improve. He does drop back in distance but maps well and has no weight. Chance.

18. Cepheus (Matthew Dunn): Was perfectly ridden last start but was very strong late and went through the line full of energy. From a rating perspective, he has improved each run this prep, and he can bounce again going up to 1600m. He will need luck but, at the weights, he represents value and is a knockout chance.

Communist (Pic: Steve Hart)

19. Communist (Michael Freedman): Won the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) with ease at this track/distance two starts ago. He then was honest in the Group 1 WFA George Ryder (1600m) stepping up to WFA level. He will roll forward from the wide gate, and if he can get luck, he can look the winner at some stage.

20. Lindermann (Chris Waller): Has gone from strength to strength this prep and deserved his Group 1 win last start in the Rosehill Guineas (2000m). He has a much trickier setup here and some query back in distance.

21. Osipenko (Chris Waller): Is on an upwards ratings spiral this prep, and he gets multiple factors in his favour here. He was solid in the Group 1 WFA George Ryder Stakes (1500m) when 28 days between runs off a setback, and that effort will have him cherry-ripe for this assignment. He gets the equal best weight swing out of that race, dropping 7kg, which only enhances his key attribute in acceleration. The three-year-old can only improve off that effort; if he does from a figure's perspective, it will put him right in the finish. Additionally, he maps positively, doing no work through the run, and represents value.

22. Bankers Choice (Michael Moroney): Struggled at 2000m last start, albeit in an extremely high-rating Group 1 Ranvet Stakes won by Dubai Honour. The step back in distance suits, and he ran honestly in this race last year.

Summary:

Keen on both Osipenko and Fangirl at the current odds, who are the main overlays against my prices. Cepheus is a knockout chance, and last year's winner Mr Brightside will have the opportunity to go back-to-back with a positive race setup.

Selections:

21. OSIPENKO
5. Fangirl
18. Cepheus
2. Mr Brightside

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Royal Randwick meeting