After a tough defeat as the punters’ pick in last year’s Doncaster Mile, Another Wil returns to Randwick on Saturday for a shot at redemption, with Ciaron Maher confident the gelding is in peak condition despite drawing wide again.

In 2023, Another Wil arrived in Sydney off three dominant Melbourne wins, including a stylish success in the Doncaster Prelude (1500m). But a seven-day turnaround into the Doncaster proved too sharp, something Maher now acknowledges.

“Last year just came a little bit early for him,” Maher said.

“He had to back-up, he had a wide gate and had to do a little bit of work early and probably overdid it a fraction.

He has matured a lot and I’m looking forward to Saturday.”

Another Wil started this prep by toppling Mr Brightside in the C F Orr Stakes (1400m) before an unlucky run saw him finish fourth in the All-Star Mile (1600m), where he found trouble in the straight.

This time around, Maher has spaced the gelding’s runs, giving him four weeks between starts with a quiet jumpout to maintain fitness.

“It works for him. He was very good fresh, he was very good second-up and I’d expect him to be very good again,” Maher said.

Despite drawing barrier 18, Another Wil is a $9 chance in betting, with Maher’s best-backed runner Gringotts holding favouritism at $7 from barrier six.

Gringotts was a brave winner of the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) last time out, outduelling top gallopers Fangirl and Ceolwulf.

“The plan has always been the ‘Donnie’ and to do that at weight-for-age last start is pretty exciting,” Maher said.

“He drops to a nice weight (55.5kg), the mile is right in his wheelhouse so it looks a nice race for him.”

Also representing Maher is New Energy, a $81 long shot who didn’t fire first-up in the Ajax Stakes (1500m) but has shown glimpses of talent.

“The horse does possess that ability. He will need things to go his way but he could hit the line pretty hard,” Maher said.