Doncaster Mile Tips, Best Bets, Field and Odds

The Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) will be run at Royal Randwick on Saturday, April 10 and we provide you with a comprehensive guide to the mile handicap.

The Doncaster Mile 2027 is one of the richest mile handicaps in the world — a $4 million Group 1 over 1600m at Royal Randwick, run on Day 1 of The Championships, Saturday 3 April 2027. Registered as the Doncaster Handicap, it’s the great test of the Randwick mile. This is our complete guide: the 2027 date and start times, the field, tips and best bets, live odds, the form guide, how to watch, past winners and FAQs — updated all autumn with the latest field, odds and our best bets.

The Doncaster Mile 2027: Key Details

Detail	Value
Race	Doncaster Mile / Doncaster Handicap (Group 1)
Date	Saturday 3 April 2027 (The Championships Day 1)
Start time	~4:30pm AEDT (confirmed race week)
Venue	Royal Randwick, Sydney
Distance	1600m
Conditions	Group 1 handicap, 3yo & up
Prize money	$4 million
Broadcast	Channel 7 / 7plus, Sky Racing, Racing.com + bookmaker streams

 

When is the Doncaster Mile & What Time?

The Doncaster Mile is run on Day 1 of The Championships — the first Saturday of April at Royal Randwick. In 2027 that’s Saturday 3 April, with the feature jumping in the afternoon (approximately 4:30pm AEDT; the exact time is confirmed race week). Local start times by state:

State	Local start time
NSW / VIC / ACT / TAS	~4:30pm AEDT
Queensland	~3:30pm AEST
South Australia	~4:00pm ACDT
Northern Territory	~3:00pm ACST
Western Australia	~1:30pm AWST

 

The Great Randwick Mile Handicap

The Doncaster is unusual among the majors: it’s a handicap, registered as the Doncaster Handicap, and one of the richest handicap miles in the world at $4 million. That makes the weights the heart of the puzzle — a well-treated, in-form miler can topple the weight-carrying stars, which is why the race throws up such varied winners. Mr Brightside went back-to-back in 2022–23, and in 2026 Sheza Alibi became the first filly to win since the great Sunline in 1999. Run on Day 1 of The Championships, it’s the autumn’s defining mile.

The Doncaster Mile 2027 Field & Barrier Draw

The Doncaster draws a big, competitive field of milers chasing the rich purse, with the handicapper’s weights shaping the contest. Over 1600m at Randwick the barrier and a soft run in transit matter in a large field, and a well-weighted, progressive type is always dangerous. The field firms after the autumn mile lead-ups and the weights are released. Check back for the confirmed 2027 field, weights and barriers.

Doncaster Mile Tips, Best Bets & Predictions

Our tipsters post their Doncaster Mile best bets and value selections once the field, weights and barriers are confirmed. A rich mile handicap rewards a well-treated horse in top form with a fair barrier — and a big field means strong each-way and exotic value. Win and each-way are the staples. Bookmark this page for our final selections.

How to Bet on the Doncaster Mile

All the standard markets apply — win and each-way (valuable in a big-field handicap), plus exotics (quinella, exacta, trifecta and first-four). Futures open as the weights are released. Prices vary between bookmakers, so always compare and take the best available — see our toplist below.

Doncaster Mile Odds & Favourites

Doncaster markets firm through the autumn as the field and weights are confirmed. As a handicap it is one of the more open Group 1s — Sheza Alibi won as the odds-on favourite in 2026, but the weights regularly bring the field together and reward value runners. For live Doncaster Mile odds and the best price on every runner, compare the bookmakers below.

Doncaster Mile Form Guide

The key form lines are the autumn mile races — the Canterbury Stakes, Randwick Guineas, George Ryder and the All-Star Mile in Melbourne (Mr Brightside’s 2023 path). Look for a well-weighted, in-form miler with a fair barrier and a strong recent lead-up. The Doncaster shares Day 1 of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival with the TJ Smith Stakes and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Doncaster Mile Recent Winners & 2026 Result

The 2026 Doncaster Mile was won by Sheza Alibi (Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman / Jamie Melham), the first filly to win since Sunline in 1999, beating Autumn Boy by four lengths — see the full 2026 results & finishing order. Recent winners:

Year	Winner	Note
2026	Sheza Alibi	First filly since Sunline (1999)
2025	Stefi Magnetica
2024	Celestial Legend
2023	Mr Brightside	Back-to-back (2022–23)
2022	Mr Brightside
2021	Cascadian

 

History & Background

First run in 1866, the Doncaster Handicap is one of the oldest and most prestigious mile races in Australia and a cornerstone of The Championships at Royal Randwick. Its handicap conditions have produced a roll of honour from Sunline to Mr Brightside, and a win here is among the most coveted in Australian racing. It headlines Day 1 of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.

How to Watch the Doncaster Mile (Live Stream & TV)

The Championships Day 1 is shown free-to-air on Channel 7 and 7plus, plus Sky Racing and Racing.com, and you can live stream the race free with most licensed Australian bookmakers once your account is funded. Replays go up on the Australian Turf Club and Racing.com channels shortly after.

Best Bookmakers for the Doncaster Mile

For a full comparison of the top Australian racing bookmakers — best odds, futures and live streaming — see our best horse racing betting sites in Australia guide.

Doncaster Mile FAQs

What is the Doncaster Mile?

A $4 million Group 1 handicap over 1600m at Royal Randwick — registered as the Doncaster Handicap — run on Day 1 of The Championships and one of the richest mile handicaps in the world.

How much is the Doncaster Mile worth?

$4 million.

When is the Doncaster Mile 2027?

Saturday 3 April 2027 — Day 1 of The Championships — at Royal Randwick, over 1600m.

What time is the Doncaster Mile?

Mid-to-late afternoon — approximately 4:30pm AEDT — with the exact jump time confirmed race week.

Who won the 2026 Doncaster Mile?

Sheza Alibi, the first filly to win the race since Sunline in 1999.

Is the Doncaster Mile a handicap?

Yes — it is a Group 1 handicap, so the weights are central to picking the winner.

How can I watch the Doncaster Mile?

Free-to-air on Channel 7 and 7plus, plus Sky Racing and Racing.com, with free live streams via most bookmakers.