A capacity field is expected for this Saturday’s Group 1 $750 000 Australian Guineas (1600m).
While acceptances are not taken until Wednesday, Just Horse Racing has sifted through all the information to find who will run in the Guineas.
With the decision by connections to pay a late entry fee for talented Mossman gelding Under The Eiffel and the likely yet unexpected visit of Sydney colt Masquerader, there is a bustle for positions at the bottom of the order of entry.
Here is what the field would look like if acceptances were taken today (in saddlecloth order):
1. Bullbars
2. Playing God
3. Anacheeva
4. Mr Chard
5. Run for Levi
6. Hollowlea
7. Dusty Star
8. Masquerader
9. Startsmeup
10. Spirited Eagle
11. Enjin Number Nine
12. Eclair Surprise
13. Under The Eiffel
14. Southern Speed
15. We Can Say It Now
16. Shamrocker
Smokin’ Joey, Goldstone, Speediness and Absolutelyawesome are expected to be amongst the emergencies.
However, the picture could still become cloudier, with a number of queries amongst the acceptances.
It is not known if Darley will send Retrieve and/or Skilled, who both placed in yesterday’s Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) behind Ilovethiscity, down to Melbourne for the race.
It is more likely that they will run in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) at Warwick Farm on March 12.
Other query horses are the speedy Miss Gai Flyer, who has won two starts at 1200m this preparation; the Gai Waterhouse-trained Teardrop Rock, who was being aimed at yesterday’s Group 2 Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400m) before the Guineas but missed the race; and The Vanity runner up Do Ra Mi.
TAB Sportsbet currently has classy Kiwi filly We Can Say It Now and late entrant Under The Eiffel as equal $7 favourites, just ahead of Perth star Playing God at $9 and recent Flemington winners Bullbars and Southern Speed at $10.
Caulfield Guineas winner Anacheeva, who was favourite for this race two weeks ago, is now at $15 following two poor runs.
Acceptances are taken at 9am on Wednesday morning.
Written by Andrew Hawkins
