The owners of Alma's Fury will forgo a Queensland winter campaign for a one-off chance at the $2 million Doncaster Mile on Saturday.

The five-year-old ran a half neck second to Skyerush in the Doncaster Prelude with the winner to be aimed at the Group Two Emancipation Stakes a week later.

Initial reaction after Saturday's Prelude was to bypass the Doncaster but trainer Paul Murray said the opportunity to run in Australia's richest 1600m handicap was one not to be passed up.

"He's in on the limit weight and might not get another chance in a race like this," Murray said.

"He deserves a chance and the owners decided to give him a go.

"It does however, put an end to going to Queensland. He will be going to the paddock after Saturday.

"He's done a great job this campaign."

Alma's Fury was multiple stakes placed until December when he backed up from a second in the Villiers to win the Listed Bernborough Handicap at Doomben.

Murray gave him a couple of months away from the track and he stepped up to the plate in early March to win the Group Two Apollo Stakes (1400m) to the surprise of punters and his trainer.

The race was run on a heavy track, conditions his trainer was convinced were against him after two previous starts on wet ground.

His first attempt at a Group One resulted in a sixth in the Chipping Norton Stakes won by Shoot Out with Alma's Fury less than two lengths from the winner.

The final field and barrier draw for the Doncaster will be known on Tuesday.