After two encouraging lead-up runs, three-year-old Muraaqeb will step up to 1600 metres for the first time when he chases a Group One win in the Australian Guineas at Flemington.
The Lindsay Park-trained colt has finished third in both the Group Three Manfred Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield and the Group Three C S Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington ahead of his shot at Saturday’s $1 million Australian Guineas.
Lindsay Park senior trainer David Hayes won the Australian Guineas in 2007 with star filly Miss Finland while his late father Colin Hayes won the race three times with Military Plume (1987), King’s High (1989) and Zabeel (1990).
Muraaqeb will attempt to give the training partnership of David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig its first Guineas.
“His two lead-ups have been excellent,” David Hayes said.
“He’s probably got to lift a little bit but his second run was better than his first.
“The mile should be perfect.”
Muraaqeb closed off well from back in the field in the C S Hayes Stakes to finish 1-3/4 lengths from the winner Grunt, with only fourth-placed Main Stage running slightly quicker sectional times over the final 600m.
Muraaqeb was at $15 on Sunday for the Australian Guineas with the Darren Weir-trained colt Cliff’s Edge the $4.50 favourite ahead of Grunt at $5.50.
Cliff’s Edge has beaten Muraaqeb home both times this campaign, winning the Manfred before finishing a game second in the C S Hayes.
Along with Cliff’s Edge, Weir plans to have Peaceful State in the Guineas if he makes the field.
“They are both in great shape,” Weir said.
Weir won the Guineas in 2016 with Palentino.
*Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. Tβs & Cβs apply. Gamble responsibly.
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
We take a look at the BIGGEST and BEST Free Daily Racing Offers and Betting Promotions from Australia’s leading online...
Bjorn Baker’s Overpass, with Josh Parr in the saddle, successfully defended his title in the $4 million Quokka, boosting the...
View the results and replay for the 2024 All Aged Stakes. The All Aged Stakes was raced at Randwick racecourse...
View the results and replay for the 2024 Champagne Stakes. The Champagne Stakes was raced at Randwick racecourse on Saturday,...
View the results and replay for the 2024 Mornington Cup. The Mornington Cup was raced at Mornington racecourse on Saturday,...
Punters are calling a race at Beaudesert on Saturday the worst protest ever upheld. A punting group on X (Twitter)...
Jockey Dylan Kitts has been penalised with a disciplinary officer exclusion directive due to non-compliance with an inquiry regarding his...
Betting in Australia has never been more popular thanks to a large increase in new betting Agencies and Apps available...
Horse racing. Known as the ‘Sport Of Kings’, an industry worth billions, a very serious business…but to some, it’s a...
Which bookmaker should you bet with? We Review each of the leading online Australian Bookmakers and rate them in order...