Having coaxed William Haggas into running Protagonist in the Doncaster Mile, Australian Bloodstock director Jamie Lovett admits his reputation is officially on the line. 

The $4 million race was not originally on the radar for the international and Haggas, who is more familiar with top-level weight-for-age racing, instead had designs on next week's Queen Elizabeth Stakes. 

"Ironically, we had to convince William to run him," Lovett said. 

"He was always thinking he'd be a Queen Elizabeth horse, but I said to him, 'I don't need the practice running second or third because I think (stablemate) Dubai Honour is nearly a good thing in that race. I'd rather keep apart from your other horse and have a crack at the Doncaster'. 

"Generally the trainers are right. I'll probably find out the hard way on Saturday that he's not fast enough." 

Dodging Dubai Honour wasn't the only part of Lovett's pitch. 

He can make a genuine case for Protagonist's chances after the horse made a brilliant local debut to win the Sky High Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill two weeks ago. 

While the six-year-old is unplaced from six mile attempts in Europe, Lovett says the bumper Doncaster field and different way of racing in Australia is tailor-made for a strong middle-distance horse, as is a weight drop to 50kg. 

"Looking at his races in Europe, although he hasn't won at a mile, I do think he's run very well at a mile and they're different race shapes over there where they haven't gone overly quickly," Lovett said. 

"Coming off a hot tempo in a 'Donnie', I can just see him really strong late. 

"A lot of the horses Chris Waller and Gai Waterhouse have won with over the years, they profile very similarly, they've won over a mile-and-a-quarter previously." 

Protagonist is the first horse Australian Bloodstock has raced with Haggas. 

While they have bought several horses from him, including 2020 Sydney Cup placegetter Raheen House, the syndication company only recently thought to buy one for him. 

"It only just dawned on us, 'you're bringing horses down for the autumn, why don't we buy a couple for you', and he jumped at the opportunity," Lovett said. 

"We bought Earl Of Tyrone, which unfortunately went amiss in quarantine, but he'll be a nice horse down here in time. 

"If William's not the best (trainer in the world), he's one of the best and to have a world-class trainer training them certainly helps." 

Protagonist will be partnered by in-form jockey Ben Thompson and has barrier eight, while Australian Bloodstock's other runner Nugget has a trickier task after drawing gate 22. 

Lovett confirmed Protagonist could still join Dubai Honour in the Queen Elizabeth, provided he performs well on Saturday. 

FP	Silk	Horse, Age & Sex Sire & Dam	Jockey Trainer	SP WT
1st		2. MR BRIGHTSIDE (NZ) 5yo G BULLBARS (AUS) - LILAHJAY (NZ)	ZAC PURTON BEN & JD HAYES	$6 55.5kg
		Lindsay Park Bloodstock (Mgr: Mrs S Steel), Green Shorts Racing (A Visalli), K Paisley, Mrs C Paisley, B Carson, M Andreadis, J Molinaro, Ms A Molinaro, Ms J Evans, D Hollyman, S Horn, R Jarvis, G Kerr, D Lee, R White, D Cavallo, The Fighting Cowboys (A Pettiona), P Presti, L Presti & T Hunter
	Sales Information  | NZB | 2019 Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs (39) | Phoenix Park | Psd. NZD $ Res. NZD $ 50,000 2019 Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs (39)   Phoenix Park  Psd. NZD $ Res. NZD $ 50,000  | NZB | 2019 Karaka May Sale (159) | Phoenix Park | Phill Cataldo Bloodstock (Bafnz) | NZD $ 22,000 2019 Karaka May Sale (159)   Phoenix Park  Phill Cataldo Bloodstock (Bafnz) NZD $ 22,000  | NZB | 2018 Karaka May Sale (522) | Phoenix Park | WITHDRAWN 2018 Karaka May Sale (522)   Phoenix Park  Withdrawn NZD $
2nd		4. MY OBERON (IRE) 6yo G DUBAWI (IRE) - MY TITANIA (IRE)	JOHN ALLEN ANNABEL NEASHAM	$31 54kg
		D F Degenhardt, Hirecha Racing (Mgr: B J Quin), M J Saadie, W B Keighran, G P Carmody, Walker Racing & Bloodstock, G Maris, T C Eddy, D P Sinn, C B Elkington, S R L O'Connor, S Greene, N M Wilson, A J Willoughby, P J Prendergast, C D Judd, J Whitford, Werrett Bloodstock Pty Ltd & P D Sidwell
	Sales Information  | Tattersalls | 2018 October Yearling Sale Book 1 (519) | Mount Coote Stud, Ireland | WITHDRAWN 2018 October Yearling Sale Book 1 (519)   Mount Coote Stud, Ireland  Withdrawn
3rd		11. NUGGET (GB) 6yo G SIYOUNI (FR) - GEMSTONE (IRE)	ANDREW GIBBONS CIARON MAHER & DAVID EUSTACE	$21 51.5kg
		Australian Bloodstock, Carty Racing, Up2ourEyeballs, F Meduri, Mrs R Butcher, B J & A K Paterson, D Robertson, G Van Amyden, Coastline Racing, S Roth, J Hunter, A Nugget, S Duke, N Greenhalgh, Mrs M Greenhalgh, T Eddy, Killara Racing P/L, J Simmons, L Caminiti & F Marando
	Sales Information  | Tattersalls | 2021 Autumn Horses In Training Sale (1040) | East Everleigh Stables (R. Hannon) | WITHDRAWN 2021 Autumn Horses In Training Sale (1040)   East Everleigh Stables (R. Hannon)  Withdrawn  | Goffs - UK | 2018 Premier Yearling Sale (471) | Highclere Stud | John & Jake Warren | GBP £ 90,000 2018 Premier Yearling Sale (471)   Highclere Stud  John & Jake Warren GBP £ 90,000
4th		15. HOPE IN YOUR HEART (AUS) 4yo M DUNDEEL (NZ) - HAYAAT (AUS)	JAY FORD KERRY PARKER	$31 50.5kg
5th		14. MUSTANG VALLEY (NZ) 4yo M VANBRUGH (AUS) - CREAM OF THE CROP (AUS)	ROBBIE DOLAN ANDREW FORSMAN	$19 51kg
6th		21. OSIPENKO (NZ) 3yo C PIERRO (AUS) - RASKOVA (USA)	MICHAEL DEE CHRIS WALLER	$15 50kg
	Sales Information  | NZB | 2021 Karaka National Yearling Sale - Book 1 (60) | Valachi Downs | Kaha / Chris Waller Racing | NZD $ 160,000 2021 Karaka National Yearling Sale - Book 1 (60)   Valachi Downs  Kaha / Chris Waller Racing NZD $ 160,000
7th		5. FANGIRL (AUS) 4yo M SEBRING (AUS) - LITTLE SURFER GIRL (AUS)	JOAO MOREIRA CHRIS WALLER	$12 53.5kg
8th		8. DUKE DE SESSA (IRE) 4yo H LOPE DE VEGA (IRE) - DARK CRUSADER (IRE)	DYLAN GIBBONS CIARON MAHER & DAVID EUSTACE	$11 52kg
	Sales Information  | Goffs - IRE | 2020 Orby Sale (104) | The Castlebridge Consignment | Vendor | Psd. EUR € 60,000 Res. EUR € 2020 Orby Sale (104)   The Castlebridge Consignment  Psd. EUR € 60,000
9th		16. ZOUGOTCHA (AUS) 3yo F ZOUSTAR (AUS) - FAST TALKER (AUS)	KERRIN MCEVOY CHRIS WALLER	$8 50.5kg
	Sales Information  | Inglis | 2021 Australian Easter Yearling Sale (302) | Widden Stud, Widden Valley | Chris Waller Racing / Mulcaster Bloodstock | AUD $ 500,000 2021 Australian Easter Yearling Sale (302)   Widden Stud, Widden Valley  Chris Waller Racing / Mulcaster Bloodstock AUD $ 500,000
10th		19. COMMUNIST (AUS) 3yo G RUSSIAN REVOLUTION (AUS) - CAPPADOCIA (AUS)	TYLER SCHILLER MICHAEL FREEDMAN	$18 50kg
	Sales Information  | Inglis | 2021 Classic Yearling Sale (510) | Sledmere Stud, Scone | Michael & Richard Freedman | AUD $ 160,000 2021 Classic Yearling Sale (510)   Sledmere Stud, Scone  Michael & Richard Freedman AUD $ 160,000  | Magic Millions | 2020 National Weanling Sale (1052) | Sledmere Stud, Scone, Nsw (As Agent) | WITHDRAWN 2020 National Weanling Sale (1052)   Sledmere Stud, Scone, Nsw (As Agent)  Withdrawn
11th		9. GENTLEMAN ROY (AUS) 6yo G SO YOU THINK (NZ) - LA LA LAND (AUS)	RACHEL KING BEN & JD HAYES	$31 52kg
12th		17. PROTAGONIST (FR) 6yo G WOOTTON BASSETT (GB) - SAGARIYA (FR)	BEN THOMPSON WILLIAM HAGGAS	$12 50kg
	Sales Information  | Arqana | 2018 August Yearling Sale (205) | Hotellerie | Avenue Bloodstock | EUR € 125,000 2018 August Yearling Sale (205)   Hotellerie  Avenue Bloodstock EUR € 125,000
13th		12. BANDERSNATCH (AUS) 6yo G CASINO PRINCE (AUS) - DIVINE FAITH (AUS)	TAYLOR MARSHALL M, W & J HAWKES	$13 51kg
	Sales Information  | Inglis | 2018 Classic Yearling Sale (362) | Amarina Farm, Denman | G Ryan | AUD $ 42,000 2018 Classic Yearling Sale (362)   Amarina Farm, Denman  G Ryan AUD $ 42,000
14th		10. LION'S ROAR (NZ) 5yo G CONTRIBUTER (IRE) - MINNALEO (NZ)	CRAIG NEWITT JOHN O'SHEA	$31 52kg
	Sales Information  | NZB | 2019 Karaka National Yearling Sale - Book 2 (807) | Wellfield Lodge | Champion Thoroughbreds | NZD $ 65,000 2019 Karaka National Yearling Sale - Book 2 (807)   Wellfield Lodge  Champion Thoroughbreds NZD $ 65,000
15th		1. ALLIGATOR BLOOD (AUS) 6yo G ALL TOO HARD (AUS) - LAKE SUPERIOR (AUS)	TIM CLARK G WATERHOUSE & A BOTT	$16 57.5kg
	Sales Information  | Magic Millions | 2018 Gold Coast Yearling Sale (22) | Baramul Stud Widden Valley Nsw | Ezybonds No 1 Syndicate | AUD $ 55,000 2018 Gold Coast Yearling Sale (22)   Baramul Stud Widden Valley Nsw  Ezybonds No 1 Syndicate AUD $ 55,000
16th		6. GOING GLOBAL (IRE) 5yo M MEHMAS (IRE) - WROOD (USA)	BRENTON AVDULLA CHRIS WALLER	$31 53.5kg
	Sales Information  | Keeneland - USA | 2022 November Breeding Stock Sale (208) | Elite, Agent | WITHDRAWN 2022 November Breeding Stock Sale (208)   Elite, Agent  Withdrawn  | Fasig-Tipton | 2022 The November Sale (292) | Elite Agent | Bba Ireland | USD $ 2,500,000 2022 The November Sale (292)   Elite Agent  Bba Ireland USD $ 2,500,000  | Goffs - IRE | 2019 Sportsman's Sale (550) | The Castlebridge Consignment | Pioneer Racing | EUR € 15,500 2019 Sportsman's Sale (550)   The Castlebridge Consignment  Pioneer Racing EUR € 15,500
17th		20. LINDERMANN (AUS) 3yo C LONHRO (AUS) - SELF ESTEEM (AUS)	DEAN HOLLAND CHRIS WALLER	$31 49kg
18th		18. CEPHEUS (GB) 6yo G SEA THE STARS (IRE) - CRIMSON CHEER (USA)	DEAN YENDALL MATTHEW DUNN	$81 50kg
	Sales Information  | Tattersalls | 2018 December Yearling Sale (114) | Barton Stud | WITHDRAWN 2018 December Yearling Sale (114)   Barton Stud  Withdrawn  | Arqana | 2018 August Yearling Sale (101) | Ombreville | St Lawrence Oliver | EUR € 60,000 2018 August Yearling Sale (101)   Ombreville  St Lawrence Oliver EUR € 60,000  | Tattersalls | 2017 December Foal Sale (712) | The Castlebridge Consignment | WITHDRAWN 2017 December Foal Sale (712)   The Castlebridge Consignment  Withdrawn
19th		7. CONVERGE (AUS) 4yo G FRANKEL (GB) - CONVERSELY (IRE)	BRETT PREBBLE G WATERHOUSE & A BOTT	$18 52kg
20th		13. GOLDEN MILE (AUS) 3yo C ASTERN (AUS) - CALAVERITE (AUS)	ZAC LLOYD JAMES CUMMINGS	$21 51kg