Prized Icon and Invincible Gem are headed to the 2018 The Star Doncaster Mile, and Sound Proposition has a chance to join them when he races at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
However, Clearly Innocent is not a definite runner in the $3m Group 1 feature when Day 1 of The Championships begins at Royal Randwick on Saturday week.
Kris Lees confirmed Prized Icon and Invincible Gem as certain Doncaster contenders following their performances at Rosehill Gardens last Saturday, but has held back on confirming a start for Clearly Innocent.
Prized Icon ran third to Gailo Chop in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m), and drops to 53.5kg in the Doncaster.
Invincible Gem made the running when fifth to Winx in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m), and has only 52kg in the Randwick “mile”.
“Prized Icon ran another excellent race and has a lovely weight in the Doncaster, whilst Invincible Gem will take further benefit from only her second outing this preparation,” Lees said.
“But I’m not sure about Clearly Innocent. I expected him to do better in the George Ryder (last of six runners).
"I might keep him for the All Aged Stakes (1400m Group 1 run at weight-for-age at Randwick on April 21).”
Sound Proposition will be exempt from Doncaster ballot should he win Saturday’s Group 3 Prelude (1500m). Lees was happy with triple Group 1 winner Le Romain’s comeback seventh to Newcastle mare In Her Time in last Saturday’s Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill.
“He ran up to expectations, and will definitely take benefit from the run,” Lees said. “He’ll go on to the TJ Smith Stakes (1200m at Randwick on Saturday week) and All Aged Stakes.”
Le Romain underwent colic surgery last October after an aborted Melbourne spring campaign, and The Galaxy distance was short of his best. Promising filly Chilly Cha Cha is an entrant for Saturday’s Group 1 Vinery Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill, but is a doubtful starter.
“I’ll probably wait for the Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m Group 1 at Randwick on Saturday week) as a trial for the James Boag's Australian Oaks (2400m Group 1 there a week later),” Lees said.
Singing, a brave fourth to Master Of Arts in last Saturday’s Group 3 Manion Cup (2400m), is also a doubtful Rosehill starter on Saturday. He is among the entries for the $1.5m Group 1 Kia Tancred Stakes (2400m).
Admiral Jello, who got too far back when ninth in the Manion Cup, will run next in the Group 2 Chairman’s Quality (2600m) at Randwick on Saturday week as a trial for the $2m Group 1 Schweppes Sydney Cup (3200m) there a week later.