The Group One Australian Guineas is run at Flemington, 1600m, $1 million for three-year-olds.
HISTORY
* First run in 1986 when won by True Version
* 1998-2000 run over 2000m
NOTABLE WINNERS
* Zabeel (1990); Triscay (1991); Mahogany (1994); Baryshnikov (1995); Flying Spur (1996); Mouawad (1997); Reset (2004); Al Mahar (2005); Apache Cat (2006); Miss Finland (2007); Mosheen (2012); Shamus Award (2014); Palentino (2016); Hey Doc (2017); Mystic Journey (2019)
TALKING POINTS
* Alligator Blood will be chasing his first Group One win. His only defeat in 10 starts was a close second in the Group One Caulfield Guineas last spring
* The Australian Guineas features a rematch between Alligator Blood and Catalyst who fought out the Group Three C S Hayes Stakes (1400m)
* Alligator Blood will be attempting to win the C S Hayes-Australian Guineas double emulating Zabeel (1990); Mahogany (1994); Dash For Cash (2002); Hey Doc (2017) and Grunt (2018)
* Alabama Express goes to the Guineas off a Group One win in the C F Orr Stakes at weight-for-age against older horses
* Damien Oliver has the riding record with three wins. He rides Chenier
* West Australian three-year-old Superstorm makes his first Melbourne appearance
WHAT THE KEY PLAYERS ARE SAYING:
“I certainly won’t be riding my race to try to beat Catalyst because nine times out of ten when you think you’ve got one horse to beat it’s usually another one that comes out and beats you. I’ll just ride my race and hopefully he can get the job done” – Alligator Blood’s jockey Ryan Maloney
“Alligator Blood is a warrior and one we have to try and beat but this time we match it at level weights and meet him at the mile. I think the advantage is in our hands this time” – Catalyst’s trainer Clayton Chipperfield
“We’ve already beaten the older horses at weight-for-age. We’d like to take the three-year-olds on now. If he can beat the gun three-year-olds, it puts that on the mantle too” – Alabama Express’ trainer Mike Moroney
“He was by no means screwed down for his first-up run. He’s had a really good couple of weeks after being all over the place before that with a trip to Sydney and back” – Chenier’s assistant trainer Sam Freedman
“I’m not saying I’m going to overhaul them but going into the race I’m confident I will give it a shake” – Soul Patch’s rider Craig Williams
