Team Hawkes has confirmed a rider for Messene in the $3 million Doncaster Mile but it is not James McDonald, who has already been booked for Dear Demi.
McDonald was aboard Messene in the Ajax Stakes last start, a win that confirmed the lightly raced five-year-old would start favourite in the feature Group 1 at Royal Randwick on April 12.
With Boban expected to run, the weights will rise 1.5kg with Messene to carry 51.5kg and Chris Waller’s mutliple Group 1 winner topweight with 58kg.
Corey Brown is returning from Singapore to ride Messene in Saturday’s Doncaster Mile at Royal Randwick.
Messene is favourite for the Doncaster Mile at $3.50
