Booker ready for four-way Thousand Guineas battle

Brad Waters - Thursday October 12

Two star fillies stood in the way of Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra's last Thousand Guineas placegetter but a far more even field confronts the training duo's 2017 contender.

Advertisement
Booker will have a crack at Group I level in the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Ellerton and Zahra prepared Sharnee Rose, who went into the 2011 Thousand Guineas as a maiden before finishing third to the subsequent multiple Group I winners Atlantic Jewel and Mosheen.

"There isn't an Atlantic Jewel in this race but I do think Booker is a better horse than what Sharnee Rose was at that stage," Zahra said.

The pair's last two Thousand Guineas runners have missed a place but Zahra says their charge Booker is a great chance after her fighting win in the Group II Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) on October 1.

Booker finds herself in an eight-horse field in this year's edition of the Thousand Guineas but Zahra says the $500,000 race will be an even contest, which could result in more speed than the Thousand Guineas Prelude.

"In saying that, the top four fillies, I don't think there is a lot between them," he said.

"Alizee is a good filly, Leather'n'lace is on the way up and Shoals is a pretty serious horse and they might put a bit more pressure on this time."

Zahra said Booker has had a light lead-in to the Thousand Guineas after fighting off Shoals and Catchy, who will tackle the Caulfield Guineas, last time out and completed her preparation with a short gallop at Flemington on Tuesday.

"She didn't need a lot of work because she had a tough run the other day so she just ran home (400m) in 24 on the grass with a mate. Did it on the bit," Zahra said.

"We just wanted to save a bit for raceday.

"She's probably not as pumped-up as she has been but that's a good thing because she can be highly-strung but since that race, she has been pretty settled."

Dwayne Dunn will be aboard Booker again in the Thousand Guineas and Zahra expects similar on-pace tactics.

"I think she'll roll forward and sit outside the leader but she could lead if it works out that way unless Shoals kicks up and makes us work to get there," Zahra said.

Booker is a $6.50 chance in Sportsbet's latest Thousand Guineas market.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Tarzino Stayer Wins G3 Geelong Cup
Trainer Paul Preusker will get another tilt at a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) after Torranzino ran out a strong winner of the Gr.3 Geelong Cup (2400m) on Thursday.
2025 G1 Spring Champion – Pedigree Preview
A lot of attention is paid to the sprinting three year-old division and much less so to the stayers, but with $2million in prizemoney the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday has attracted a full field of 14 and all of them are on trial at the trip.
One To Watch – Belmont
We look far and wide to highlight Breednet’s ‘One To Watch’ and today’s winner of the first race at Belmont, 3yo D’Argento filly Ladies Pro, won in the manner of a horse with a nice future and in the process shone a spotlight on her sire who recorded his ninth winner so far this month.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 22
Here is the full list of 37 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
End Of An Era - 2025 G1 Cox Plate
“There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still” - Franklin D Roosevelt.
Bold Showing Tipped for Yes Yes Yes 2YO
Speed Demon will be given every opportunity to live up to his name when he makes his debut at Ellerslie.
$140,000 NZB Ready to Run Graduate Books Ticket to G1 Victoria Derby
Bred for stamina being by Melbourne Cup winner Shoicking from a daughter of Tavistock, talented Kiwi bred three-year-old Azazel has booked his passage for the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) on Saturday week after a tough victory in the Listed Roderick Insurance Brokers 3YO Geelong Classic (2200m) at Geelong on Thursday.
$400,000 Invincible Filly a Grand Investment
A three-quarter sister-in-blood to dual Group I winning mare Charm Stone, stakes-placed I Am Invincible filly Naifah always looked well bought at the 2025 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $400,000.
One to Watch – Mornington
In Cox Plate week it only seems fitting that the 2013 winner Shamus Award would give us a ‘One to Watch’ at Mornington on Thursday.
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 23
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.