Star three year olds Star Witness and Crystal Lily are out of the Australian Guineas, Whobegotyou is out of the Australian Cup and there are record first acceptances for the Newmarket Handicap.
These are some of the surprises after the first round of acceptances for Flemington’s major autumn races were taken this afternoon.
56 horses were among first acceptances for the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m).
Whobegotyou wont be aimed at the Australia Cup - Photo by Steve Hart
Favourites Anacheeva, Enjin Number Nine and We Can Say It Now are still entered, but the withdrawal of one time favourite Star Witness was unexpected.
Trainer Danny O’Brien had indicated it was a possibility last week following his disappointing return to racing, but it hadn’t been confirmed.
It is expected that Star Witness will head towards the Newmarket, as will last year’s Golden Slipper winner Crystal Lily.
Crystal Lily returns in Saturday’s Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m).
The Caulfield Guineas trifecta of Anacheeva, Run for Levi and Masquerader are still in contention, as are Group 1 winners Pressday, Skilled and Playing God.
The Australian Guineas will be run on March 5.
35 horses are still in contention for the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m).
They are headlined by four star Kiwis – Emirates Stakes winner Wall Street, Thorndon Mile winner Booming, Caulfield Cup runner up Harris Tweed and Mackinnon Stakes runner up Ginga Dude.
The local defence is headlined by three time Cox Plate placegetter Zipping, Melbourne Cup winner Shocking, Mackinnon Stakes winner Scenic Shot and Australian Guineas winner Heart of Dreams.
David Hayes has two imports entered – Rebel Soldier, who ran near the tail of the field as expected in the Orr Stakes last Saturday, and Laristan.
Given the fact that the Australian Cup is now run a week later than the Australian Guineas, three year olds have the opportunity to run in both races.
Peter Moody has paid up for Caulfield Guineas winner Anacheeva and emerging stayer Eclair Surprise, while Western Australia’s next superstar Playing God is also still a chance of lining up in both races.
The Group 1 $1m Newmarket Handicap (1200m) is arguably Australia’s greatest sprint, and despite the presence of freak mare Black Caviar, a record 44 horses are still entered after first acceptances.
Incredibly, Black Caviar’s trainer Peter Moody is responsible for nine of the 44 entries – he also has Avenue, Captain Coltish, Doubtful Jack, Hinchinbrook, Master Harry, Panipique, Reward for Effort and Set for Fame entered.
Black Caviar’s nemesis Hay List is also still among entries, with the pair set to reignite their battle in this weekend’s Lightning Stakes.
The Australian Cup and the Newmarket Handicap will be run on March 12.
Written by Andrew Hawkins
