Some facts about the Group One $750,000 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.
* First run in 1986 as a Group Three event and won by True Version.
* Group One from 1987.
* For three-year-olds under set weight conditions.
* Race conducted over 2000m as the final leg of the Australian Triple Crown from 1998-2000.
* Notable winners include: Zabeel (1990), Triscay (1991), Mahogany (1994), Flying Spur (1996), Mouawad (1997), Gold Guru (1998), Pins (2000), Dash For Cash (2002), Reset (2004), Apache Cat (2006), Miss Finland (2007), Heart Of Dreams (2009), Shamrocker (2011).
* Most successful trainers: Three – Lee Freedman (Mahogany 1994, Flying Spur 1996, Mr Murphy 2001) and Colin Hayes (Military Plume 1987, King’s High 1989, Zabeel 1990).
* Most successful jockeys: Two – Damien Oliver (Mr Murphy 2001, Flying Spur 1996); Jim Cassidy (Dignity Dancer 1999, Baryshnikov 1995); Greg Childs (Gold Guru 1998, Kenny’s Best Pal 1993); Greg Hall (Mahogany 1994, Flotilla 1988); Darren Gauci (Jolly Old Mac 1992, True Version 1986); Michael Clarke (Zabeel 1990, Military Plume 1987); Craig Newitt (Heart Of Dreams 2009, Light Fantastic 2008).
* Winning jockeys with rides this year: Damien Oliver – Sabrage (Mr Murphy 2001, Flying Spur 1996); Craig Newitt – Instinction (Heart Of Dreams 2009, Light Fantastic 2008); Craig Williams – That’s The One (Miss Finland 2007); Michael Rodd – Fontelina (Rock Classic 2010); Noel Callow – Highly Recommended (Apache Cat 2006, Al Maher 2005); Glen Boss – Decircles (Shamrocker 2011); Danny Nikolic – Mosheen (Reset 2004).
* Winning trainers with a runner this year: Danny O’Brien – Adamantium, Decircles (Shamrocker 2011); Mick Price – Instinction, Proliferate (Heart Of Dreams 2009, Light Fantastic 2008); David Hayes – Niconoise (Miss Finland 2007).
* Favourites have won six of the last 15 runnings. The shortest-priced favourite to win the race was Dignity Dancer at 8-13 in 1999.
AAP TURF
