Randwick Guineas, Australian Guineas: Group 1 tips and preview

It’s always a great race day when we’re greeted with a Group 1 for three-year-olds over the classic mile distance. It’s a confusing and disappointing day when we’re greeted with two.

Much has been made of the inability or lack of desire for Victorian and New South Wales racing authorities to work together, but their obtuseness only serves to damage the sport.

The Randwick version will be the first Guineas run on Saturday, assembling half the field but twice the talent of the race being run at Flemington.

Hallowed Crown is locked into a battle for favouritism with Shooting to Win in Sydney, the Golden Rose winner against the Caulfield Guineas winner from the spring.

In a statistical quirk, Hallowed Crown has only started favourite once in a career that boasts five wins from six starts, but it was the one race he lost. Fans backing him from the start have been laughing all the way to the bank though, with winning odds of $12, $12, $7, $7 and $8 available about him on the day.

Hugh Bowman delivered a peach of the ride to secure him victory in the Hobartville Stakes first-up, and the horse was tough enough to deliver in a blanket finish in which less than half a length covered the first four home. Hallowed Crown doesn’t win by big margins, but he knows how to stick the neck out at the right time.

Shooting to Win had trouble running in a straight line in the Hobartville, which must have cost him in a desperately tight finish. He’s a classy colt, as his resume dictates, and if he doesn’t win, he’s always right in the frame.

Sweynesse was something of a forgotten horse leading into the Hobartville, but arguably produced the most eye-catching run out of it. Of those that contested the finish, he was the last horse to get out once they straightened. James McDonald had to shift out two or three horses to find clear running, which cost the horse valuable momentum, and arguably victory.

Scissor Kick was tightened for room with 50 metres to go in the Hobartville, so was untested in the shadows of the post, but he wasn’t travelling like a winner anyway. He needs to find a length on the other three, but does have the benefit of one extra run under his belt.

Of the others, Sworn to Silence was savaging the line on the inside in the Hobartville, a few lengths behind the winner, and is one to keep an eye on as he steps up in distance. Preferment was ordinary in the same race when more was expected. Rhodin Drive is making up the numbers.

Selections: 1. Sweynesse 2. Hallowed Crown 3. Shooting To Win 4. Scissor Kick

The Canterbury Stakes is the other Group 1 in Sydney, and another race that’s drawn a small, but select field.

Two mares are leading the market, the ever-consistent and uber-professional Catkins in search of her first Group 1 win, and the Gai Waterhouse mare Cosmic Endeavour, who put together a string of wins last winter, culminating in the Tatts Tiara in Queensland.

Catkins has done what she needed to in her two unbeaten runs this prep, while not being as impressive as we’re perhaps used to, or as her odds should suggest. Will she be suited staying at the 1300m trip, or is she looking for further now?

Cosmic Endeavour has been building to a win this campaign in mares only grade, but now steps to open WFA for the first time, while also coming back slightly in distance.

Tiger Tees is the only genuine, out-and-out sprinter in the field, and is also a first-up specialist. He’ll cross over to lead from the widest barrier, with Catkins looking to get the trail behind him. He’ll take some catching.

Royal Descent is as honest as they come, and has the quality to win, but knowing her she’ll put herself in the finish only to find one better. She’s due to beat them all one day though, but it may not be this day over 1300m.

The rest of the field will need the run before we see their best, but any of them are a trifecta hope.

Selections: 1. Tiger Tees 2. Catkins 3. Royal Descent 4. Cosmic Endeavour

The Australian Guineas at Flemington is the lesser Guineas of the two being held tomorrow, both in prizemoney and quality, but should still be an entertaining race with a capacity field and a host of chances.

Kermadec comes down from the Hobartville, and is the rightful favourite based on his run against the A-graders up in Sydney. Barrier eight should see him settle one off the fence no worse than midfield and be pulled out with plenty of straight and clear running to seek victory.

Alpine Eagle is the newcomer on the scene, having come over from Adelaide last week and taking out the Autumn Classic at Caulfield in most impressive fashion after having plenty against. He has to drop back a furlong in distance though.

Rommel is another backing up from a Caulfield win, over 1200m in the Zedative Stakes. He won the WA Guineas over the mile in November, and with residual fitness from that campaign on his side, the quick step up in trip will cause no problems.

Wandjina resumed with a fighting win in the CS Hayes at Flemington a fortnight back. His two starts before that were a sound Cox Plate run and a placing in the Caulfield Guineas. He’s not the most honest horse in the world, but can certainly produce a run on his day.

The fillies, Fontein Ruby and Sweet and Speedy, can easily make their presence felt. The former will be tough in an on-speed role from the inside gate, while the latter will be charging home with one run after getting back from a wide draw.

Stratum Star will be somewhere in the finish with his renowned consistency. Ditto for Firehouse Rock at huge odds, with the blinkers on to sharpen him up. Lucky Liberty and the Tasmanian, Admiral, will provide the x-factor if they bring their best.

Kermadec is the obvious selection, but if he doesn’t win, any number of horses can lay claim to victory in what should be a genuinely run race. The race has a blanket-finish type of feel.

Selections: 1. Kermadec 2. Rommel 3. Stratum Star 4. Firehouse Rock