Robbie Griffiths indicates that Enxuto is among several contenders eyeing a run in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m).
Although yet to secure a victory beyond open grade as a three-year-old, the Lean Mean Machine gelding gets an opportunity to gain entry into the Doncaster lineup via the Group 2 Ajax Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill this Saturday.
Victory in the Ajax Stakes grants the winner automatic qualification for the Doncaster, where Enxuto currently sits 77th on the entry list carrying 50kg.
Four horses have previously achieved the Ajax/Doncaster double, most recently It’s Somewhat who beat Happy Clapper in the 2017 Doncaster Mile.
Given the expected dropouts from the current rankings, Robbie Griffiths, who notched his only Group 1 success a decade ago with The Quarterback in the 2016 Newmarket Handicap, noted that the five-year-old merits a try for qualification.
“I’d prefer to take Enxuto to the Ajax Stakes in Sydney, and that gives him two weeks into the Doncaster,” Griffiths said on Saturday.
“He’s in the mix. He’s one of many in the mix, but he ran fourth in the Ingham up there and his form around Sabaj, I hope runs really well because that’ll really help frank the form lines.”
Sabaj validated those form lines by achieving a personal best with fourth place in the Group 1 All-Star Mile (1600m) shortly afterwards.
Enxuto has recorded placings in his two outings since a freshen-up, finishing third behind Cafe Millenium and Sabaj in the Listed Elms Handicap (1400m), then pursuing Birdman in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) on his second start.
Having just two weeks’ rest previously, Griffiths feels Enxuto is peaking for the Ajax where he carries the bottom weight of 54kg.
“He worked really well Saturday morning,” Griffiths said.
“I thought it’s hard to run really good two weeks off a blistering first up run, so I reckon his run will be better coming into this.”
Enxuto has tightened from $11 to $8.50 in the all-in betting for Saturday, with Lord Penman leading at $2.60 ahead of Group 1 victor Globe at $3.50.
Explore the best Australian betting sites for racing odds on the Ajax Stakes at Rosehill.