The Australian Guineas at Flemington has come up with an outstanding field and some may argue, one of the best fields in recent memory. While Shamus Award stands heads and shoulders above his rivals in terms of achievements, the rest of the field have competed admirably in Group company throughout their careers which adds plenty of intrigue to the race.
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Favourite heading in to the Guineas will be the impressive Hucklebuck from the Phillip Stokes yard. Aiming for a hat-trick of wins, Hucklebuck has drawn barrier eight over the 1600 metres with regular jockey Dom Tourneur on board. The son of Elvstroem has had two runs back from a spell and been devastating both times. First-up at Morphettville, he came with a withering burst to win over 1200 metres in restricted company before heading to Flemington on February 15. On that occasion he was sent out $2.80 favourite in the CS Hayes Stakes where he scored an effortless 1.25 length victory over Prince Harada and The Quarterback. He meets Prince Harada 1.5 kilograms better this time around.
The Quarterback was seen doing his best work late against Hucklebuck and has barrier 11 with Matthew Allen retaining the ride. The son of Street Boss has won twice and placed as many times from five career starts and seems to have taken the next step this preparation.First-up he was a fast-finishing third to Bull Point in the Manfred Stakes before again finishing off hard, after being back in the field, in the CS Hayes. His first two runs have been over 1200 and 1400 metres respectively and the extra 200 metres here will definitely suit him, as will the long Flemington straight. One thing’s for sure – he was ridden back in the field at his last two starts and that is likely to be the case again here.
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Prince Harada has always had a big wrap on him and the Tony Vasil colt is definitely in this up to his eyeballs.He will start from barrier seven and has the services of Corey Brown. Sitting second for most of the race in the CS Hayes, he couldn’t hold off the finishing burst of Hucklebuck but battled on stoutly to beat the rest of the field.Of course, Shamus Award must not be underestimated but he will have to overcome barrier nine if he is to greet the judge. A winner of just one race from 11 career starts, with eight placings to boot, Shamus Award’s only victory came in the Cox Plate back in October. Leading throughout on that occasion with jockey Chad Schofield utilising the minimum weight of 49.5 kilograms, the colt ran his rivals off their legs. He’s had one run back since then and that was in the CF Orr when third to Moment Of Change and Eurozone at Caulfield on February 8. Sitting on the speed throughout, the son of Snitzel seemed to flounder late but managed to hold on for yet another placing.The Danny O’Brien-trained colt has only placed once from three starts second-up so that could be a slight concern, but the fact he is the Cox Plate winner should hold him in good stead here.
Looking for a bit of value? Then Criterion could be the way to go.Currently $14 with Luxbet, Criterion is usually thereabouts in any race he contests and boasts three wins and three placings from 12 starts. He will go into the race off the back of a fourth to Hucklebuck in the CS Hayes. More importantly, he is two kilograms better off than he was on that day. One of the positive aspects to Criterion is his adaptability over any journey.He’s won up to 1200 metres and placed in a Stan Fox (1500 metres), Spring Champion (2000 metres) and run fourth to Polanski in the Victoria Derby (2500 metres). Running out a strong 1600 metres definitely won’t be a concern here.
The last runner to look at is the second favourite, Eurozone. At $4.40 with Luxbet, the Bart and James Cummings-trained galloper has won four from seven and just missed out on taking out the Group One CF Orr last start. A son of Northern Meteor, he is suited on most ground but has a perfect three-from-three record on slow conditions, so if there is any sight of rain, he is definitely one you want to be on.Eurozone will commence the race from barrier with Glen Boss aboard.
