Saturday Doncaster Racing Tips by Dave Stevos
Saturday is the biggest day of the season for Doncaster Racecourse. It hosts the final classic of the year, the 14f St Leger Stakes. The first four races on St Leger Day will be broadcast live on ITV racing and Dave Stevos likes one at a big price in the Portland. He had a nice 10/1 winner on Thursday, hopefully his good form continues. Check out his Saturday Doncaster racing tips below …
Saturday Doncaster Racing Tips: 1.50 Portland Handicap (Class 2)
The first race of the day is the 5.5f Portland Handicap and I like one at a huge price here. Rae Guest is a trainer that knows the time of day and Show Stealer looks a fascinating contender. This 6yo filly is a 7 time winner and she comes into the race on a career high mark of 92. She is 5lb above her last winning mark, but with her jockey’s 3lb claim she is effectively only 2lb higher. And in any case, she has showed on her last 2 runs that her current mark is not beyond her.
Last time she was very unlucky at Salisbury when getting hampered repeatedly in the closing stages. Previously, she had Open Wide behind at Goodwood when only 0.75L behind Green Power at Goodwood. I think a big field and strong pace will play to this filly’s strengths and Cameron Noble looks a decent booking. His 3lb claim could be crucial and he has 4 winners to his name at Doncaster. Her draw in stall 20 is ideal (8 of last 11 winners drawn 15 or higher). She is 2/3 at 5.5f too and at odds of 33/1, Show Stealer looks well worth backing each way.
SATURDAY DONCASTER RACING TIPS: SHOW STEALER E/W @ 33/1 5 PLACES NAP
Doncaster Preview Saturday: 2.25 – Park Stakes (Group 2)
This 7f Group 2 has only attracted a field of 6 and a case can be made for most of them. Andrew Balding is in scintillating form and he runs Shine So Bright with Buick on board. He clearly has the strongest form, lowering the colours of Laurens last time at York. He ran a nice race in the Guineas too, while Space Traveller has boosted the form of his first win of the season. Good to firm ground suits and he will make a bold bid from the front.
However, Azano and especially Turjomaan could take him on up front. The latter horse was ridden to get the trip over a mile last time, but back at 7f Dane O’Neill could gun him. If that happens, there is likely to be a furious pace and Breton Rock could benefit if it collapses. A two time c&d winner, he took this race all the way back in 2016 and this will be his fifth Park Stakes appearance. His run behind Suedois last time was a good effort and David Simcock’s charge is worth backing for small stakes each way. There won’t be a dry eye at Doncaster if the old boy comes home in front.
SATURDAY DONCASTER RACING TIPS: BRETON ROCK E/W @ 25/1
Saturday Doncaster Racing Tips: 3.00 – Champagne Stakes (Group 2)
The Group 2 Champagne Stakes has attracted a field of just 5. For 2yo colts and geldings only, this 7f contest is Threat’s to lose according to the bookies. He is even money and on form, it is hard to disagree with them. Richard Hannon’s charge boasts form figures of 1221 from 4 career starts, the last 3 coming in G2 company. He has improved with every run and he broke his duck at pattern level in the Gimcrack at York.
Threat was a close 2nd to Arizona at Royal Ascot, a race in which Fort Myers was less than a length behind him in 4th. He found Lope Y Fernandez too good last time at Curragh on good to yielding ground. However, while this fella has yet to win on turf, this will be his first run on good to firm. He is by War Front, so quick ground could spark massive improvement and Donnacha keeps the faith. Given how little he has to find with Threat on their Ascot meeting, Fort Myers represents good value against him at 8/1. On good to firm he may just turn the tables.
SATURDAY DONCASTER RACING TIPS: FORT MYERS WIN @ 8/1 NB
Doncaster Racing Preview: 3.35 – St Leger Stakes (Group 1)
It is a sure fire sign that shorter days, darker evenings and colder weather is on the way when the St Leger comes around. This is the final UK classic of the season and Aidan O’Brien is looking to complete a three timer. However, for a change, he hasn’t got the favourite. This year, the all conquering Gosden and Dettori combination supply the jolly in Logician. This son of Frankel is on a five timer after wins at 10f (2) and 12f (2).
He has shaped like he will get the Leger trip of 14f, but his pedigree raises big question marks. His sire Frankel won over 10f and his dam was best at a mile, so whether 14f will be within his compass is questionable. This is much tougher than his last win too and even money looks way too short given his achievements on the track. Sir Dragonet has much stronger form on paper but he may need softer ground to show his very best. I would have really fancied Technician on softer ground, but conditions may be against him.
That leaves the mount of Padraig Beggy, Il Paradiso. He got to within 1.25L of the best stayer around in Stradivarius last time. That was over 2 miles on good to firm ground, and his previous win was over the same trip on similar ground. By Galileo and out of a sister to Mastercraftsman, he has a beautiful pedigree and his stamina is not in doubt. The drop back to 14f may well suit him and at 13/2, Il Paradiso is the each way selection.
