The $1million Group I VRC Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday has drawn a full field and there is a very interesting filly in the field with Te Akau set to unleash another potential G1 star in Australia, while Veight will be out to replicate the deeds of his sire Grunt.
American Pharoah’s Group I VRC Victoria Derby winner Riff Rocket is favourite following his brilliant return two weeks ago when he beat blueblood Kingman colt King Colorado in the Group III VRC CS Hayes Stakes with both colts sure to enjoy getting out to 1600m for this assignment.
Also happy to get back to 1600m will be Shamus Award filly Quintessa, who won the Group I Levin Classic at that trip two starts back for Te Akau before finishing fourth against the older sprinters in the Group I BCD Group Sprint. Trained by Mark Walker and ridden by Mick Dee, Quintessa will be one everyone wants to see when she walks in that mounting yard.
Grunt colt Veight is another three year-old dropping back to his own age after a game fourth in the G1 MRC CF Orr Stakes to Mr Brightside and Pride of Jenni and that is A grade form. His sire won this race in 2018 and Veight could well blow this field away to emulate his success.
AUSTRALIAN GUINEAS FIELD AND BARRIER DRAW
No – Horse (Sire) – Trainer – Jockey – Barrier – Weight
1 – RIFF ROCKET (American Pharoah (USA)– Chris Waller – Craig Williams – 9 – 57kg
2 – VEIGHT (Grunt) – Tony & Calvin McEvoy – Damian Lane – 6 – 57kg
3 – KING COLORADO (Kingman) – Ciaron Maher – Mark Zahra – 12 – 57kg
4 – APULIA (Fiorente (IRE)– Ben, Will & JD Hayes – Luke Currie – 15 – 57kg
5 – ZIPAWAY (Playing God) – Neville Parnham – Steven Parnham – 10 – 57kg
6 – CAP FERRAT (Snitzel)– Chris Waller – Joshua Parr – 2 – 57kg
7 – THE PENDRAGON (US Navy Flag (USA)– Michael Moroney – Jordan Childs – 14 – 57kg
8 – RUN HARRY RUN (Written Tycoon) – Michael Moroney – Daniel Stackhouse – 16 – 57kg
9 – SUNSETS (Dundeel) – Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young – John Allen – 13 – 57kg
10 – VERDAD (Justify (USA)– Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock – Jye McNeil – 3 – 57kg
11 – SNOW PATROL (Contributer (IRE)– Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) – Blake Shinn – 7 – 57kg
12 – SOUTHPORT TYCOON (Written Tycoon)– Ciaron Maher – Jamie Kah – 4 – 57kg
13 – OTAGO (Ocean Park) – Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) – Ben Melham – 5 – 57kg
14 – HEY FAT CAT (Rubick)– Robbie Laing – Ethan Brown – 1 – 57kg
15 – QUINTESSA (Shamus Award)– Mark Walker – Michael Dee – 8 – 55kg
16 – VIESTE (Maurice (Jpn) – Benjamin Smith – Brock Ryan – 17 – 55kg
17e – MAH ALI (More Than Ready (USA) – Benjamin Smith – Fred Kersley – 11 – 55kg
