In what could be a case of out of sight, out of mind, Godolphin colt Aramayo is emerging as the forgotten horse ahead of the Group One Randwick Guineas.
The race has been billed as a match-up between benchmark colt The Autumn Sun and star filly Nakeeta Jane with both horses having done their recent racing in Sydney.
Aramayo has been quietly plying his trade in Melbourne and hasn’t raced in Sydney since he beat all but Maid Of Heaven in the Group One Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick in October.
He tuned up for his Guineas assignment with a closing third to Global Exchange in the Autumn Classic (1800m) at Caulfield, an effort that should hold him in good stead for the tough Randwick mile.
Trainer James Cummings is looking forward to getting Aramayo back to the expanses of Randwick and believes the three-year-old is nearing peak fitness after two runs back from a spell.
“He’s back to the scene of his career-best performance in the Group One Spring Champion Stakes,” Cummings said.
“He’s set for the best effort of his campaign so far.
“Having been a victim of circumstances last start at Caulfield, he has a reserve of stored up energy that he can produce on Saturday.”
The Autumn Sun and Nakeeta Jane dominate Guineas betting with the Chris Waller-trained colt a prohibitive $1.50 favourite and Nakeeta Jane ($6) the only other runner under double-figure odds.
Aramayo is at $21 to give Godolphin back-to-back wins after Kementari claimed the feature last year.
Kementari will again sport silks at Randwick in his quest to claim the other Group One on Saturday’s Program, the Canterbury Stakes (1300m).
Like Aramayo, Kementari kicked off his campaign in Melbourne with a fast-finishing second to Manuel in the C F Orr Stakes and Cummings is bullish about his chances in a tough race where his rivals are headed by multiple Group One winner Trapeze Artist.
“He’s refreshed and bulked up nicely since his solid first-up effort at Caulfield,” Cummings said.
“This is a beautiful second-up target and he should find this distance right in his comfort zone.”
Godolphin is also set to feature prominently in the two-year-old races with three runners, including Magic Millions Classic winner and Reisling Stakes favourite Exhilarates.
