Sovereign Nation has confirmed a start in the Caulfield Guineas with his win in the Group Two Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley.
“I know (owner) Gerry Harvey is very keen if he pulls up well to run in the Guineas and I’m even more keen to do it,” co-trainer David Hayes said.
Sovereign Nation
“We’ll definitely head to the Guineas. The Guineas is a real stallion making race and this is a lovely stepping stone into it.”
The Group One Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on Saturday week is the same distance as the Stutt Stakes which was just Sovereign Nation’s third career start.
The son of Encosta De Lago turned in a superior effort to defeat Get The Picture by three quarters of a length with Gredington a short head away third.
Michael Walker had Sovereign Nation midfield with cover before making his move four-wide to hit the front as they approached the home straight.
Hayes said he had had a huge opinion of the colt since he arrived at his stable before this first racing preparation and believed he would be a genuine Guineas contender.
“I’ve always thought he was a pretty special horse,” the trainer said.
“He’s got lovely improvement in him.”
Whobegotyou is the last Stutt Stakes winner to go on and win the Guineas.
