A quality 10-race card has been assembled at Headquarters on Saturday, headlined by the time-honoured Group 1 Australian Guineas between the three-year-olds.
The classic mile race has attracted a capacity field with the current market heavily favouring Chris Waller’s reigning Victoria Derby winner, Riff Rocket.
This is one of few races that has eluded the champion trainer, but a win won’t come easy with proven Group 1 place-getter Southport Tycoon and the ever-improving Veight taking their place.
It’s always a must-watch race every autumn, and our Top 3 thoughts ahead of this year’s Australian Guineas can be found below!
Suggested Betting Strategy
- 2 Units Riff Rocket
- 1 Unit E/W Southport Tycoon
Australian Guineas – 1st
Last year’s Victoria Derby winner Riff Rocket looks very tough to bet against in this year’s Guineas.
Chris Waller’s three-year-old resumed an impressive winner in the CS Hayes Stakes a fortnight ago over 1400m, winning three-quarters of a length after finding the centre of the straight just in time under Craig Williams down the straight.
The market suggested that race may have been a little sharp for him first-up, but as we’re starting to learn, the smart son of American Pharaoh is proving he’s much more than just a stayer.
After clocking some nice sectionals in the run home last time out, the rise to the mile suits, and with plenty happening in Sydney, he could be capping off a big day for the Waller stable.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Riff Rocket
Australian Guineas – 2nd
Southport Tycoon is a colt I have real time for out of the Ciaron Maher yard.
The son of Written Tycoon really stamped himself as one to follow last spring when he went close to winning the Guineas Prelude, returning to work back in January where he was a smart runner-up to Veight in the Australia Stakes at The Valley.
He lost no admirers three weeks ago achieving the same result in the Autumn Stakes over shorter, beaten only a lip by Snow Patrol after going around as the favourite.
Third-up, he still has some real improvement to come, and I do think Jamie Kah tends to get the best out of these three-year-olds that are close to putting it all together.
With a nice run from midfield from barrier 4, I think the pair prove tough to hold out.
Suggested Bet: No. 11 Southport Tycoon
Australian Guineas – 3rd
Veight is a promising colt for Tony and Calvin McEvoy that continues to hold his own at the top level.
The son of Grunt rattled off some impressive late sectionals when winning the Australia Stakes first-up at The Valley, charging the line down the outside to put away a smart field in the process.
He’s winless in four attempts at Group 1 level, but it’s hard to overlook a runner-up effort to Griff in the Caulfield Guineas last year, and his latest run in the CF Orr Stakes where he finished just over a length off Mr Brightside.
The wide run saw him undone last time out, but he should have no problem finding cover in this bigger field from a handy gate that leaves Damian Lane with options.
We know the closing speed he possesses, and if he’s within striking distance when it matters, he could figure in the final frame.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Veight