The Australian Guineas is a $1m Group 1 contest, held over 1600m at Flemington for 3YOs. The set weights feature is one of the major 3YO races on the Australian racing calendar, as is the Randwick Guineas, run on the same day at Royal Randwick.
First run in 1987, the relatively new race to the calendar boasts a very respectable honour roll. Sire of sires, Zabeel, won the race in 1990, Champion 3YO Mahognay saluted in 1994, and in more recent years, Arrowfield’s star filly, Miss Finland, was victorious under jockey Craig Williams in 2007.
This year’s Australian Guineas has brought together a full size field, and a good one at that. Interestingly enough, there are no fillies contesting this year’s feature. Looking at the market, Dabble has G1 Spring Champion Stakes winner Profondo, favourite at $4.40, ahead of G1 Victorian Derby winner Hitotsu, at $5.00. Team Snowden trained Captivant is next best at $6.50, and up and coming 3YO Pinstriped rounds out those under double figures at $8.50.
We know with horse racing that anything can happen and this year’s Australian Guineas looks very open. So, we have dissected each of the horses’ chances for you! Read on below to find our runner by runner preview of the 2022 Australian Guineas along with The Shark’s best tips.
1. Hitotsu (2) – $5.00
Jockey – John Allen 57kg
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Rounded out last prep with a super win in the G1 Victoria Derby, at Flemington over 2500m. Ran well in the Caulfield Guineas prior to that, and has trialled well leading up to this. Draws an inside gate which is probably not advantageous, but if Allen can extricate to the outside or pick a way through the field without getting into too much trouble, he’s more than capable of winning this first up.
“He’s had a faultless prep.”
David Eustace touches on the chances of VRC Derby winner Hitotsu ahead of Saturday’s Australian Guineas.
@cmaherracing pic.twitter.com/p1pQc37TuE— Racing.com (@Racing) March 2, 2022
2. Captivant (10) – $6.50
Jockey – Jamie Kah 57kg
Trainer – Peter & Paul Snowden
Both runs back this prep have been good, the latest a good 3rd to Pinstriped in the G3 CS Hayes Stakes. Finished 2nd in last year’s Caulfield Guineas over a mile, before contesting the Cox Plate. The set weights conditions bring him into calculations here, and looks one of the main hopes.
3. Profondo (15) – $4.40F
Jockey – Robbie Dolan 57kg
Trainer – Richard Litt
$1.9m yearling, who has certainly lived up to the hype in his short career. Arguably should be unbeaten, after he raced green and was just defeated in last year’s G3 Gloaming Stakes at Rosehill. He then went on to win the G1 Spring Champion Stakes with a leg in the air. He’s had the benefit of two trials leading into this, and although will have bigger fish to fry later in his prep, cannot be overlooked here. Deserves favouritism.
4. Forgot You (6) – $10
Jockey – Mark Zahra 57kg
Trainer – Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
Scratched from Randwick Guineas to run here. Talented colt who was an eye catcher first up behind Pinstriped. He got back, as he often does, and hammered the line there running some very good late splits. His run in last year’s Caulfield Guineas was very good over the mile and he draws a perfect gate here. Looks on target for another good prep and can get the job done here going off his first up run.
5. Alegron (3) – $71
Jockey – Damien Oliver 57kg
Trainer – James Cummings
Victoria Derby runner up who resumed in the CS Hayes Stakes at Flemington. He got back and made some good late ground on that occasion. His form last prep wasn’t far behind the likes of Profondo and Hitotsu, and the step up to 1600m looks ideal. Drawn well to position a bit closer in the run and has to be included in multiples.
6. Coastwatch (18) – $16 – Scratched
Jockey – Craig Williams 57kg
Trainer – Chris Waller
Hasn’t been seen since winning the G2 Autumn Stakes at Caulfield three weeks ago. He rode the speed on that occasion and was able to hold off the late challengers. Faces a horror draw here (18) and needs some early luck to be in the finish.
*Also accepted in the Randwick Guineas.
7. Lightsaber (4) – $14
Jockey – Luke Nolen 57kg
Trainer – Peter G Moody
Was scratched at the barriers a fortnight ago in the CS Hayes Stakes. Prior to that missed the kick badly in the CF Orr. Wasn’t far away in last year’s Caulfield Guineas over the mile, and has won here at Flemington. The barrier blanket goes on here, and he needs to behave himself pre race and conserve as much energy as possible in order to be winning this.
Who wins the Australian Guineas? pic.twitter.com/HwG2YCTwZB
— The Leg Up Podcast (@TheLegUpAus) March 2, 2022
8. Ranch Hand (9) – $17
Jockey – Craig Williams 57kg
Trainer – Chris Waller
Was terrific on resumption in the G3 Eskimo Prince Stakes at Randwick over 1200m. He then raced well again in the G2 Hobartville Stakes behind Anamoe. Has never been tried over a mile, but his runs this prep suggest it may be what the doctor ordered. Each way chance.
*Also accepted in the Randwick Guineas.
9. Pinstriped (11) – $8.50
Jockey – Michael Dee 57kg
Trainer – Enver Jusufovic
Unbeaten gelding who seems to improve every time he goes to the races. Was very good last start winning the G3 CS Hayes Stakes at this track. Steps up to the mile now which looks no issue. This is no doubt his biggest test to date, but there’s no reason he can’t make it 4 from 4.
10. Rhinoceros (5) – $91
Jockey – Jamie Mott 57kg
Trainer – Emma-Lee & David Browne
Kiwi colt who is a 3 time winner in Australia. Gets out to his pet trip here, after finishing down the track in the CS Hayes behind Pinstriped. Will need to improve on his latest effort, but draws well and gets the services of underrated hoop Jamie Mott.
11. Spirit of Gaylard (8) – $41
Jockey – Jordan Childs 57kg
Trainer – Mitchell Freedman
Resumed in the G2 Autumn Stakes, with a pass mark behind Coastwatch. Steps up to the mile now which helps, and is a winner here at Flemington. Ticks a few boxes and will be strong late. Could show up in the placings at big odds.
12. Sharp Response (12) – $41
Jockey – Beau Mertens 57kg
Trainer – Julius Sandhu
Honest gelding who wasn’t far away in the G2 Autumn Stakes last start. First go at 1600m here and draws a sticky alley in doing so. Happy to go around him, but he’s not the worst.
13. Prix De Turn (16) – $51
Jockey – Ben Allen 57kg
Trainer – Matthew Brown
Was sent back to maiden grade last start, after contesting the likes of the Caulfield Guineas last prep, and absolutely destroyed his rivals. Has shown he has the ability to be competitive in this grade, but has drawn poorly in barrier 16 which makes it tough.
14. Zerelle (17) – $81
Jockey – Craig Newitt 57kg
Trainer – Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
Winner of both starts this prep, albeit in benchmark grade. Was outclassed in last year’s Caulfield Guineas, and the wide gate (17) all but seals his fate here.
15. Pascero (7) – $17
Jockey – Damian Lane 57kg
Trainer – Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
Winner of 2 from 3. Almost stole it in the CS Hayes last start, when he put a big gap on his rivals around the home turn, but was run down late by Pinstriped. Draws well enough to get a soft run, but the step up to a mile has to be a question considering he has been a touch weak in his last two starts over 7 furlongs.
Is Australian racing better for having two three-year-old Guineas races held on the same day? #AfterTheLast pic.twitter.com/5HcF3lOrIq
— Racing.com (@Racing) March 2, 2022
16. Bon’s A Pearla (13) – $61
Jockey – Brett Prebble 55kg
Trainer – Kevin Corstens
On the 7 day back up here after finishing an unlucky midfield in the G2 Angus Armanasco Stakes at Caulfield last Saturday. Has had one go at the mile, where he finished down the track behind Yearning in last year’s G1 1000 Guineas. Draws an awkward gate and hard to see him winning this.
17e. Maurice’s Medad (14) – $34
Jockey – Joshua Parr 57kg
Trainer – Bjorn Baker
Sydney visitor who looks to have avoided the Randwick Guineas, in a bid to find a dryer surface. His first up run in the G3 Eskimo Prince Stakes was very good, where he made good late ground. He was again strong last start in the G2 Hobartville behind Anamoe, where he finished 5th. Two stone lighter this prep, and it looks to have done him the world of good. The mile suits now, and he could be over the odds here.
18e. Corona Lad (1) – $91
Jockey – Thomas Stockdale (a) 57kg
Trainer – Nathan Dunn
Won both starts at his first prep, before resuming in the CS Hayes a fortnight ago. He wasn’t disgraced on that occasion, but this looks no easier. Look for him in something easier.
Final Word
Well, what a race we have on our hands here. We are blessed this year with a crop of very exciting 3YOs, and that is well and truly shown off here. G1 winners Profondo and Hitotsu head the market, after breathtaking wins in the Spring Champion Stakes and Victoria Derby last prep. Both colts resume here and are looking to kick off their campaigns in fine style.
Forgot You has been scratched from the Randwick Guineas to run here, and looks hard to beat going off his first up effort and the step up in trip. Waller pair, Coastwatch and Ranch Hand, remain dually accepted in both this and the Randwick Guineas, and it will be interesting to see where they start, providing Sydney’s heavy track. Both are capable of playing a major role in this race.
“I’m not too worried about the barrier…”
Profondo heads to the Australian Guineas on Saturday. #AfterTheLast pic.twitter.com/V841K1F5PS
— Racing.com (@Racing) March 2, 2022
Captivant is looking to go one better here, after finishing 2nd in last year’s Caulfield Guineas, and his runs this prep suggest he is more than capable, and exciting gelding Pinstriped is out to make it 4 from 4, which looks well within his capabilities after what we’ve seen him produce thus far.
With that said and done, I’m glad Forgot You has been withdrawn from the Randwick Guineas, as I think he’s the one to beat here. His first up run in the CS Hayes was brilliant, when he made up many lengths late in the race. Zahra sticks, he’s drawn well and with the benefit of that run under his belt, I’m hoping he can knock off the fancied runners who resume here first up, namely Profondo and Hitotsu.
Best Australian Guineas Tip: 4. Forgot You – Each Way ($10/$3.30)
If you need more news, information and tips, head over to our Australian Guineas page for all your punting needs!
*Odds correct at time of writing, courtesy of Dabble.
