HOWDEN AUSTRALIAN GUINEAS
Results
The Group 1 Australian Guineas. RIFF ROCKET (1) was fantastic winning the G3 Cs Hayes Stakes first up here over 1400m, carrying the full penalty as a Derby winner and charging to the line to score running away. He's far better suited at this trip and so long as he isn't flat, they'll find it hard to turn the tables. VEIGHT (2) has taken the WFA path, trying hard behind Mr Brightside last start in the G1 CF Orr. He was second in the Caulfield Guineas over this trip in the Spring and maps well. KING COLORADO (3) was no match for Riff Rocket last start but is also suited out to a mile and must be a good chance again. ZIPAWAY (5) hit the line well enough in the G2 Autumn Stakes over 1400m, conceding weight to some rivals. He's a good horse suited to this trip. VERDAD (10) can improve out of the Cs Hayes with a more positive ride from a good gate.
Visit TAB.COM.AUThe Group 1 Australian Guineas. RIFF ROCKET (1) was fantastic winning the G3 Cs Hayes Stakes first up here over 1400m, carrying the full penalty as a Derby winner and charging to the line to score running away. He's far better suited at this trip and so long as he isn't flat, they'll find it hard to turn the tables. VEIGHT (2) has taken the WFA path, trying hard behind Mr Brightside last start in the G1 CF Orr. He was second in the Caulfield Guineas over this trip in the Spring and maps well. KING COLORADO (3) was no match for Riff Rocket last start but is also suited out to a mile and must be a good chance again. ZIPAWAY (5) hit the line well enough in the G2 Autumn Stakes over 1400m, conceding weight to some rivals. He's a good horse suited to this trip. VERDAD (10) can improve out of the Cs Hayes with a more positive ride from a good gate.
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Victoria Derby winner. Second run back. First-up after four months won by 0.8 len at this track G3 Cs Hayes February 17 over 1400m defeating King Colorado carrying 59.5kg at $7. Previously second-up 2nd of 9 at Rosehill Bm72 on September 27 over 1800m, 2.25 len behind Snowman carrying 54.5kg at $2.60. Clearly the one to beat again.
Multiple Group 2 winner. Third-up today and placed third-up previously. Resuming won by a head at Moonee Valley G2 Aust Stks January 27 over 1200m defeating Southport Tycoon with 55kg at $2.10. Second-up 4th of 9 at Caulfield in the G1 C F Orr on February 10 over 1400m, 1.3 len behind Mr Brightside carrying 55.5kg at $6. Peaks here and rates a danger.
JJ Atkins winner. Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up 2nd in a small field at Caulfield in the G3 Manfred on January 26 over 1200m, 1.0 len behind Brave Mead carrying 59.5kg at $11. Last start 2nd of 13 at this track in the G3 Cs Hayes on February 17 over 1400m, 0.8 len behind Riff Rocket with 59.5kg at $4. Thereabouts last start and should be competitive.
Group 2 winner. First-up. Finished off last preparation second of 16 at this track in the G1 Vic Derby November 4 over 2500m, a nose behind Riff Rocket carrying 57kg at $4. Previous preparation first-up won by 2 len Cranbourne 3yo Mdn-Sw August 20 over 1500m slow track defeating Pariah Pearl with 58kg at $1.10. Will want further.
Group 2 winner. Second-up. First-up after two months 3rd of 8 at Caulfield in the G2 Autumn Stks on February 10 over 1400m, 2.5 len behind Snow Patrol with 58.5kg at $7.50. Previously second-up came from midfield and won by 1.2 len at Ascot 3yo October 21 over 1400m defeating Investmentstrategy carrying 58kg at $4. Suited up in trip. Can figure.
Group 1 placegetter. Second-up. First-up after four months 6th of 13 at this track in the G3 Cs Hayes on February 17 over 1400m, 2.75 len behind Riff Rocket carrying 56kg at $51. Previously second-up 7th of 14 at Randwick in the LR Dulcify on September 30 over 1600m, 5.5 len behind Ganbare carrying 56.5kg at $26. Unlikely to threaten.
Group 2 winner. Resumes off a 35 day let-up. Last start held ground to the line 2nd of 15 at Ellerslie in the LR Krka Millns 3yo on January 27 over 1600m, nose behind Orchestral carrying 57kg at $6.80. The run before that won by a head at Pukekohe G2 Auckland Gns December 26 over 1400m on a soft track defeating Quintessa with 57kg at $21.80. Hard to make much of a case.
Group 3 winner. Second-up. First-up after three months 9th of 13 at this track in the G3 Cs Hayes on February 17 over 1400m, 5.5 len behind Riff Rocket carrying 58.5kg at $10. Previously second-up won by 1.0 len at Kilmore 3yo Mdn-Sw October 17 over 1450m defeating Xtra Stormy with 58kg at $2.10. Fitter but must improve sharply.
Group 1 placegetter. Back from a spell. Finished off last campaign third of 16 at this track in the G1 Vic Derby November 4 over 2500m, 1.1 len behind Riff Rocket with 57kg at $13. When resuming last campaign fifth of 10 at Geelong 2yo Mdn-Sw June 16 over 1235m, soft track; 5 len behind Poifect carrying 58kg at $2.60. Happy to risk.
Multiple Group 2 placegetter. Second run back. First-up after four months ran on from midfield; 3rd of 13 at this track in the G3 Cs Hayes on February 17 over 1400m, 1.5 len behind Riff Rocket with 56kg at $7.50. Previously second-up made ground from midfield; 2nd of 10 at Moonee Valley in the G2 Stutt Stk on September 29 over 1600m, neck behind Griff with 57kg at $3.80. Ticks a few boxes.
Group 2 winner. Second run back. First-up after five months won by a nose at Caulfield G2 Autumn Stks February 10 over 1400m defeating Southport Tycoon carrying 57kg at $9. Previously second-up 3rd in a small field at Sandown-Hillside 3yo Bm64 on September 6 over 1300m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Southport Tycoon with 60.5kg at $4.50. Solid top-three hope.
Multiple Group 2 placegetter. Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming 2nd of 8 at Moonee Valley in the G2 Aust Stks on January 27 over 1200m, head behind Veight with 55kg at $5. Second-up 2nd of 8 at Caulfield in the G2 Autumn Stks on February 10 over 1400m, nose behind Snow Patrol with 57kg at $2. Ready to find peak form.
Recent form sound. At the latest run made ground from midfield; 4th of 13 at this track in the G3 Cs Hayes on February 17 over 1400m, 1.5 len behind Riff Rocket carrying 57kg at $3.50. The start before that favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by a head at this track 3yo Bm70 January 13 over 1400m defeating Valois carrying 58.5kg at $1.70. Nice type who can improve into the money.
Useful type. Last start eased back early on 5th of 8 at Caulfield in the G1 Futurity Stakes on February 24 over 1400m, 3.5 len behind Mr Brightside with 55.5kg at $26. Before that 5th of 13 at this track in the G3 Cs Hayes on February 17 over 1400m, 2.5 len behind Riff Rocket carrying 56kg at $9.50. Needs to improve.
Levin Classic winner. Recent form sound. Last start 4th of 12 at Te Rapa in the G1 Bcd Grp Sprint on February 10 over 1400m, 2.25 len behind Bonny Lass with 53.5kg at $12.10. The start before that came from midfield and won by a head at Trentham G1 Levin Clssc January 13 over 1600m defeating Zabmanzor with 55kg at $2.70. Creates interest.
Second-up. First-up after three months 3rd of 8 at Canterbury 3&4yo Bm64 on February 16 over 1550m, slow going 2.25 len behind Little Baia carrying 58.5kg at $17. Previously second-up won by a nose at Newcastle Prov Bm64 September 30 over 1850m defeating Myeyesadoreyou carrying 55kg at $61. Needs to lift.
Dual acceptor. Second run back. First-up after three months came from midfield; 2nd of 8 at Canterbury 3&4yo Bm64 on February 16 over 1550m, slow going 0.8 len behind Little Baia carrying 57.5kg at $8. Previously second-up won by 0.8 len at Newcastle Cl1 September 30 over 1500m defeating Giancarlo with 55kg at $21. Others offer greater appeal.