Connections Optimistic about Protagonist’s Mile Mojo

There’s cautious optimism from the William Haggas camp around the chances of Protagonist (Choisir-Blue Ribbon, by Royal Academy) in Saturday’s Gr1 $4m The Star Doncaster Mile (1600m), reports racingnsw.com.au. It is the gelding’s grounding with a 2000m run and his tough nature that led stable rep Isabella Paul to believe if Protagonist strikes a strongly run in the Randwick mile, he’s capable of achieving a Group 1 win that wasn’t really on the radar. “I think the track will suit him; Randwick is a bit stiffer than Rosehill. He’s probably more a 2000m horse but hopefully he’ll get the mile there,” said Paul. With just 50kg and off the back of his gutsy Gr3 Sky High Stakes (2000m) win on March 11, the Doncaster is seen as a better option than taking on stablemate Dubai Honour and the likes of Anamoe and Unicorn Lion in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, even though he remains nominated for that race. Paul said Protagonist is the type of horse that will want to make use of a favourable draw, as he did at Rosehill, and is pleased to see a bit of rain around this week. She enthused, “He looks amazing and we’re hopeful for a big run on Saturday, especially if the rain keeps coming. We’re pretty delighted with that.”

A strong Randwick mile could play into Protagonist's hands (pic: Steve Hart)