THE outcome of the Golden Mile over 1650m at Spreyton today could determine the fate of many of the field of 12 in terms of a start in the $100,000 Devonport Cup next month.
With the winner of the Golden Mile to gain ballot-free entry into the Devonport Cup a win for one of the horses with a low rating will eradicate the prospects of playing the waiting game prior to final acceptances.
While At The Weekend is not one of the horses in doubt of a start as her rating is likely to see her gain a start and she was fourth in last season’s Cup starting the $4.80 favourite.
The Adam Trinder-trained five-year-olds mare is likely to start the popular elect today but it is the runners down the bottom of the order such as Dream Roller, Treasury Bond and Eternal Speed that might need to win the race to ensure they gain a start in the Devonport Cup.
Dream Roller is a full brother to former Devonport Cup winner Dream Pedlar and a half to another Devonport Cup winner Dream Flyer so trainer Troy Blacker is hoping this younger version can sneak into the Cup via a win today.
Treasury Bond is lightly raced and appears to be crying out for the trip but the big question is whether he can handle the steep rise in class, although his trainer Barry Campbell is an astute judge and must be confident about the four-year-old being competitive.
Check the odds in the Golden Mile.