With a massive month of Group 1 racing ahead at Flemington, we take a look at the horses you should keep your eye on for the Australian Guineas.

Australian Guineas – Saturday 4 March 2023

The $1million Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) shapes as another highlight of the Flemington Racing Spectacular. Some valuable three-year-old colts and some exciting young fillies looking to add their name to an honour roll that includes horses such as Zabeel, Mahogany, Apache Cat and Miss Finland, just to name a few.

AUSTRALIAN GUINEAS FACTS

• Hitotsu (2022) became the first horse to win the Australian Guineas first-up from a spell.
• 8 winners of the CS Hayes Stakes (The Debonair) have gone on to win the Australian Guineas (Zabeel, Mahogany, Mouawad, Dash For Cash, Wandjina, Hey Doc, Grunt, Alligator Blood). A total of 12 Australian Guineas winners have come through the CS Hayes Stakes.
• Mahogany (1994) is the only horse to complete the Caulfield Guineas-Australian Guineas double.
• Five fillies have won the Australian Guineas, the most recent being Tasmanian filly Mystic Journey, who provided trainer Adam Trinder and jockey Anthony Darmanin with their first success at Group 1 level.

ONES TO WATCH

Jacquinot (Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr)

Four wins from six starts as a three-year-old, Jacquinot continued his great run, diving back to the inside and surging late to win the Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1200m) at Sandown. Stepping up to face older, more seasoned rivals last start in the Group 1 Orr Stakes (1400m), the son of Rubick won the race on protest, defeating Gentleman Roy and Nugget. The Manfred Stakes has only produced one winner of the Australian Guineas, three-time Group 1 winning filly, Mosheen. Trainer Mick Price would become the winningest trainer of the race if Jacquinot was to salute after wins by Light Fantastic-2008, Heart Of Dreams-2009, Grunt-2018.

Elliptical (Anthony & Sam Freedman)

He comes through the most successful Australian Guineas path, winning the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington last start. The Dundeel colt came from back in the field, reeling off impressive final sectionals to score in the shadows of the post. Placed twice at Group 1 level in the spring, his run in the Caulfield Guineas was impressive, pushing Godolphin colt Golden Mile right to the line. An already valuable stud prospect, Elliptical tackles the mile for only the second time, and a Group 1 win will only enhance his value. Connections have left the option open for another shot at weight for age over the Flemington 2000 metres in the $3 million Group 1 TAB Australian Cup.

Legarto (Ken & Bev Kelso)

New Zealand-trained filly Legarto is looking to become only the second filly to win the Australian Guineas. She suffered her first defeat at her sixth start in the lucrative Karaka Million 3YO Classic at Pukekohe Park. Although arguably she should still be unbeaten, after an unlucky run in the race. Provided she travels well and settles in, she could prove very hard to hold out on the open expanses of Flemington. Legarto is to be ridden by Kiwi-born jockey Michael Dee, who had a stellar spring claiming the Group 1 Caulfield Cup and Group 1 Penfolds Victoria Derby. Dee famously won the Australian Guineas in 2021 aboard $301 bolter Lunar Fox.