Sweet William Primed for Betfred Doncaster Cup Stakes as Havlin Eyes Major Prize

Robert Havlin is confident that Sweet William is ready to secure a major staying prize, with Friday’s Betfred Howard Wright Doncaster Cup Stakes offering the perfect stage for the five-year-old to shine. Trained by John and Thady Gosden, Sweet William has been remarkably consistent throughout his career, finishing in the top three in all 13 of his starts, but his tally of four wins leaves room for improvement in the bigger races.

His last victory came in the Henry II Stakes at Sandown, followed by strong performances in high-profile races. Sweet William was runner-up to Kyprios in both the Gold Cup at Ascot and at Goodwood, narrowly missing out on top honors against a formidable rival. However, with Aidan O’Brien choosing not to send Kyprios to Doncaster, Sweet William finds himself the favorite for this weekend's contest.

“He’s getting more straightforward to ride, but he’s become a little lazier, so he needs plenty of encouragement,” said Havlin, reflecting on the horse’s evolving style. “He’s better over these longer trips, and I felt a bit unlucky last year when Trueshan drifted down the middle of the track, leaving us with too much ground to cover. I believe we could have beaten him that day.”

Havlin’s confidence is bolstered by Sweet William’s recent form, having finished ahead of Trueshan in their last few meetings. “I’m definitely looking forward to this race. He’s got all the ability; it’s just about things falling right. He’s going to win a big one sooner or later,” Havlin added.

Trueshan, last year’s Doncaster Cup winner, also returns to the race but remains a question mark depending on the ground conditions. His trainer, Alan King, was thrilled to see rain on Wednesday night, which could give Trueshan the softer ground he needs to perform at his best. Although the seven-year-old may not be in the same shape as in previous years, King remains optimistic after Trueshan’s July win at Sandown and his fourth-place finish in the Goodwood Cup.

“Trueshan had a little break after Goodwood, and I’m happy with how he’s shaping up. We just need the ground to stay on the softer side,” King commented.

Adding further intrigue to the race is Gregory, another Gosden-trained runner, who recently placed third behind Vauban at York after splitting Sweet William and Trueshan at Goodwood. Wathnan Racing’s bloodstock adviser, Richard Brown, believes Gregory will be well-suited to the extended trip at Doncaster.

“He’s a big horse with just one solid pace, but I think the extra couple of furlongs will make all the difference,” said Brown. “He’s a tough, likeable horse, and although he’ll improve with age, we’re hopeful he can run a strong race here.”

O’Brien fields Point Lonsdale, while Andrew Balding’s Coltrane and Adam Nicol’s Wise Eagle round out a competitive field. With Sweet William’s rising form, Trueshan’s need for softer ground, and the exciting presence of Gregory, the Doncaster Cup promises to be a thrilling contest that could see Sweet William finally break through with a major victory.