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Comments by the Racing NSW Handicapping Panel following the release of weights for the 158th running of the $4 million The Star Doncaster Mile on Saturday, 1st April 2023.

A total of 161 nominations have been weighed for the 158TH running of the now $4,000,000 The Star Doncaster Mile (Group 1) (1600m), to be staged on day one of The Championships at Royal Randwick on Saturday, 1st April 2023.

Heading the weights is four-time Group 1 winner Zaaki (GB) allocated topweight of 58.5kg on a 50.0kg minimum (49.0kg for three-year olds).

Zaaki is top weight for thr 2023 The Star Doncaster Mile (Pic: Steve Hart)

Zaaki (GB) is a previous winner of the 2021 Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m), the 2021 Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m), the 2021 and 2022 Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m).

Next in line on 57.5kg are Alligator Blood and I’m Thunderstruck (NZ). Alligator Blood is a multiple Group 1 winner of the 2020 Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m), the 2022 Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m), the 2022 Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) and the 2022 Group 1 Cantala Stakes (1600m).

I’m Thunderstruck (NZ) won the 2021 Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) the 2021 Golden Eagle (1500m) and the 2022 Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m).

The highest weighted mare with 55.5kg is the four-time Group 1 winner Alcohol Free (IRE). The list of her wins includes the 2020 Group 1 Cheverley Park Stakes (1207m), the 2021 Group 1 Coronation Stakes (1603m), the 2021 Group 1 Sussex Stakes (1609m) and the 2022 Group 1 July Cup (1207m).

Other high rated mares are Fangirl, Going Global (IRE), Hinged, Icebath and Levante (NZ), all asked to carry 53.5kg. All five mares have won at Group 1 level.

Jacquinot is the highest rated three-year-old and will be asked to carry 55.5kg. Jacquinot is the winner of the 2022 Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) and the 2023 Group 1 Orr Stakes (1400m).

Heading the weights for the three year old fillies are Zougotcha and Fireburn with 50.5kg, Zougotcha is the winner of the 2022 Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m). Fireburn won the 2022 Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) and the 2022 Group 1 Sires Produce Stakes (1400m).

The 2022 Group 2 Ingham (1600m) winner Kirwan’s Lane (NZ) allocated 54.0kg and the 2022 Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) winner Zougotcha with 50.5kg are currently the only two horses exempt from ballot.

Click here to view the full weights for the $4m The Star Doncaster Mile