Trainer Trevor Andrews possesses a great record in the Sky Racing WA Guineas and he’s hoping to extend that historical link when All The King’s Men races in the Group 2 feature over 1600m at Ascot on Saturday.
Andrews has won the WA Guineas three times with King Saul(2011), Vain Crusader (2006) and The Right Money (2002) and is one win away from joining Neville Parnham as the most prolific trainer of the race.
Parnham will be doing his level best to keep his WA Guineas ascendancy with Bustler, who remained undefeated after getting the best of All The King’s Men by a short half-head in the Fairetha Stakes (1400m) a fortnight ago.
All The King’s Men lost admirers in defeat, his first this preparation, after back-to-back wins over Enticing (1200m) and Saintorio (1400m) in the opening two races of his campaign.
At $7.50, All The King’s Men is on the third line with Tabtouch, sitting behind boom filly Amelia’s Jewel ($2.25) and Bustler ($4.40).
Andrews said All The King’s Men, runner-up as a two-year-old in the WA Sires’ last April, will be at his peak in the WA Guineas.
“I don’t think I would have presented him in better order,” Andrews said.
“His fitness has come on; he’s working very well and is very bright in himself.
“I always thought he was the type of horse that the mile will be to his liking.
“I think the jar out of the ground will be to his liking as well.
“Obviously the filly (Amelia’s Jewel) is all the rage and will be hard to beat.
“But Bustler and All The King’s Men will keep her pretty honest I think.”
All The Kings Men has drawn barrier six in the WA Guineas with ace jockey Paul Harvey keeping the ride.
Harvey’s a four-time winner of the WA Guineas and twice with Andrews after riding The Right Money and Vain Crusader.
Harvey gave All The King’s Men the thumbs up after track work on Tuesday.
“Paul galloped him at Ascot on the grass and gave us a glowing report,” Andrews said.
“He thought maybe take the blinkers off and put a set of visors on, just to give him a bit more vision.
“He just layed in a little bit last start and that might rectify that.
“Paul was super happy with his work and I’m looking forward to it.”
Luck will play a part in running, but Andrews believes All The King’s Men will be prominently placed from his draw.
“His first-up run he was sort of midfield and marched to the line,” Andrews said.
“In a mile he can get a nice spot and relax and hopefully if there is a bit of tempo on he can hit the line pretty well.
“I’m happy to take him to the races and think he is a serious contender.
“He’s as good as my previous Guineas winners, I think.”
If successful, Harvey will join Frank Treen as the most successful jockey in WA Guineas history.
