2013 Group 1 Thousand Guineas - preview, live racing updates

Wednesday’s Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) for three-year-old fillies is always a hotly-anticipated race. We’ll live blog the race, but read on to find our runner-by-runer preview of the big one for fillies.

1. GUELPH ($1.40) – Sensational filly from the Peter Snowden yard looking to emulate success of stablemate Long John, who won the Caulfield Guineas on Saturday. Clearly the best three-year-old filly in the land and deserving of short quote.

Has been set for this race and unbeaten at the mile (1600m). Jockey Kerrin McEvoy can do what he likes with her from perfect draw (barrier five) and the only thing that can beat her is bad luck.

2. GREGERS ($12) – Talented filly from the David Hayes stable who won well last time out thanks to a brilliant ride from Chad Schofield.

She knows how to win, having saluted at four of her six starts, but there’s always been a doubt about her running a strong 1600m. Think she’ll get the trip but she won’t beat Guelph at level weights. Top place chance.

3. BOUND FOR EARTH ($15) – Lowered Guelph’s colours three starts back in the Group 2 Furious Stakes at Randwick over 1200m. However, the Darley filly took serious improvement from that outing and has since beaten her out of sight over 1400m and 1600m. She does have form through the best three-year-old colt in the land in Zoustar and can figure in the minor end of the prize here. First start at Caulfield a small concern.

4. SE SAUVER ($15) – Sensational winner of the Edward Manifold over this trip at Flemington last time out. It was, however, a career best run and the query is whether she can back it up. Star Fashion did make her earn it on that occasion and she has been up for a while. Place hope at best.

5. MAY’S DREAM ($8) – Second favourite but well under the odds for mine. There’s no doubting she has ability but she takes a quantum leap in class here. Bred to get 1600m and beyond but doubt she has the class to trouble these. Under the odds and a definite lay.

6. GODIVA ROCK ($67) – This filly has one thing going for it – she’s trained by Mick Kent. Third in the Blue Diamond as a two-year-old but she’s yet to recapture that sort of form. No excuses when a 3.25L eighth behind Se Sauver last time out. Still a maiden and won’t be notching up her first win in this.

7. MIRACLE TO ME ($51) – Was disappointing behind Gregers two starts back (eighth of 11, beaten 6L) but turned in a nice effort for fourth behind the talented Paximadia two weeks later. Gate no help (barrier eight) and she looks tested at this level.

8. WORDPLAY ($21) – Very talented filly who has come on in leaps and bounds since her racetrack debut just two months ago. Sensational effort when second to Savvy Nature in Group 3 at just her third start and that form is very strong for this after Savvy Nature ran third in the Group 1 Spring Champions Stakes at Randwick at the weekend. Her last start fifth behind Se Sauver is a forgive run as it wasn’t one of Glen Boss’ finest rides. Over the odds and can run second.

9. GYPSY DIAMOND ($67) – John O’Shea clearly trying to pick up some prize money for connections here given the small field. Should get a nice run from gate one and has Brett Prebble aboard but she’s making up the numbers and will be totally outclassed.

Unlike the colts and geldings race (Caulfield Guineas), which appeared very open pre-race, this looks a no-brainer. GUELPH is the dominant three-year-old filly and has panels on her rivals. She’s very skinny odds but is entitled to be. Her preparation has been near perfect, only tasting defeat when first-up, and there’s no doubt Peter Snowden would’ve earmarked this race a long time ago.

Favourites do get rolled, even $1.40 shots, and they don’t hand out Group 1’s, but if she stays out of trouble she should be winning this without much fuss before a possible tilt at the Cox Plate.

There’s only a few hopes to fill the placings and I’m giving the highly talented WORDPLAY the nod for second. It might be a bit soon for her but the Savvy Nature form reads well and she’s untapped. Still not certain GREGERS runs 1600m but her class will carry her a long way and I’m putting her in for third.

SUGGESTION: Anchor GUELPH in multiples with WORDPLAY, GREGERS and BOUND FOR EARTH and have a few units the place on WORDPLAY.

We’ll live blog the race from around 3pm ahead of the jump at 3:40pm.

Tips from The Roar’s racing stable:

Justin Cinque’s tips
1. Guelph
2. Gregers
3. May’s Dream
4. Se Sauver

Andrew Hawkins’ tips
1. Guelph
2. May’s Dream
3. Wordplay
4. Se Sauver

Cameron Rose’s tips
1. Guelph
2. Se Sauver
3. May’s Dream
4. Gregers

Alfred Chan’s tips
1. Guelph
2. Gregers
3. Miracle To Me
4. May’s Dream

Roar writers 2013 Spring Carnival tipping tally (five points if winning horse is tipped for first; three points if tipped for second; two for third and one for fourth):

After Saturday’s Guineas meeting
Justin Cinque: 45
Alfred Chan: 43
Cameron Rose: 41
Andrew Hawkins: 34