Wall Street Tilt At Doncaster Likely

Sunday, 21 March 2010 05:15

A tilt at the $1.5 million Doncaster Handicap should be confirmed for rising New Zealand star Wall Street early this week.

Reigning Horse of the Year Mufhasa will also head across the Tasman along with New Zealand Oaks winner Keep The Peace but two-year-old Banchee will stay home.

Wall Street proved too strong for his rivals in Saturday's Thompson Handicap at Trentham, winning by 1-1/4 lengths from Cassini and All In Tempo, erasing any doubts that may have arisen over his unplaced run in the Otaki-Maori WFA Mile won by Mufhasa.

Trainer Jeff Lynds said the plan was to run in the Doncaster at Randwick on April 17 without another race beforehand.

"I will be speaking with the owners in the next day or two to see whether we will go," Lynds said.

Jockey Opie Bosson, penned in as the rider for the Doncaster, said he got to the lead too early in the straight but the horse was travelling extra well.

"He's exciting," said Bosson, who will also partner the Lynds-trained Vosne Romanee in the weight-for-age group one $350,000 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on April 24.

Lynds said it was yet to be decided whether promising stayer Booming would make the trip. The Sydney Cup and a rematch with Zavite would be his likely target.

The two met in the Auckland Cup with Australian Zavite the winner on that occasion.

Trainer Stephen McKee has confirmed Mufhasa will tackle the Group One $400,000 George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill on April 3.

Mufhasa was not nominated for the Doncaster, but if he does run well in the Ryder he may run in the Group One All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on April 24.

Last autumn, Mufhasa ran third in the George Ryder won by Vision and Power before running unplaced in the Doncaster also won by Vision And Power.

New Zealand's top two-year-old Banchee will stay home on Easter Saturday to tackle the Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes on April 3 rather than the Golden Slipper.

Trainer John Sargent said owner Sam Kelt had decided against paying the Slipper's late entry fee of $NZ195,000 ($A150,000).