2023 Australian Guineas betting preview & tips | March 4

The Group 1 Australian Guineas for three-year-olds headlines the action out of Flemington on Saturday afternoon, with a capacity field set to do battle for the $1 million on offer.

CF Orr Stakes winner Jacquinot heads the field as he steps back from weight-for-age company to take on his some age group, while CS Hayes winner Elliptical will look to shed the bridesmaid tag having placed on two separate occasions at Group 1 level in his short seven-start career.

The Australian Guineas is traditionally won by genuine superstar horses, with the biggest upset coming in 2021 when Lunar Fox saluted at $301, indicating surprises can come to the surface in the Group 1 1600m event.

2023 Australian Guineas betting odds

Online bookmakers did not have to think too hard when installing Jacquinot as a short-priced favourite ($2.40), the decision was made easier when Osipenko was scratched following the barrier draw. Having claimed the traditional lead-up to the race, the CS Hayes Stakes, Elliptical ($6.50) and Attrition ($8.50) are the only other runners at a single figure quote.

2023 Australian Guineas speed map

There does not look to be a genuine leader in this year’s Guineas, but from low draws we expect Maximillius, Elliptical, Elkington Road and Holymanz to look for a spot in the first four, whilst Lindermann will need to come from the wide draw to hold a prominent spot. Look for Jacquinot to settle midfield with in the three wide line having drawn barrier 11, whilst Kiwi pair Mr Maestro and Legarto are expected to be at the rear of the field alongside Attrition.

Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for the 2023 Australian Guineas.

2023 Australian Guineas preview & form

With all respect to Jacquinot, we will be hunting some value in the Australian Guineas and will be hoping Legarto can thunder down the heart of the track. The Ken & Bev Kelso-trained three-year-old is just one of two fillies in the field and considering she has won five of her six starts; she looks to be one of the genuine dangers to Jacquinot’s crown. She was a tough watch for those who backed her in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic when striking traffic issues throughout the run. She put close to five lengths on her rivals when winning the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas during the spring and with genuine Group 1 form lines to her name across the ditch, she can certainly trouble her rivals in this. From barrier nine, Michael Dee will have this girl settled towards the rear and with a muddling tempo, look for Legarto to sweep down the outside and cause a minor upset in Saturday’s Group 1.

Jacquinot is a deserving favourite for Saturday’s Group 1, but at $2.40, he looks massive unders in a field like this. First-up he only just got the job down in the Group 3 Manfred Stakes and then was controversially elevated above Gentleman Roy on protest to claim the C.F. Orr Stakes against the older horses. His two runs this campaign have had merit, but we wanted to see a bit more as he heads to the 1600m for the first time. With the likes of Legarto, Elliptical and The Fortune Teller looking like they will eat up the mile, Jacquinot might have a few more chinks in his armour. In saying that, Jacquinot is a superstar for a reason. He has an electric turn of foot and the wide surrounds of Flemington should suit him perfectly. Jacquinot is a near certainty to run in the top three, but at the price, we’re hoping we’ve found the one who will get the better of him.

If you take Jacquinot out, then the Australian Guineas is wide open. Elliptical was dynamic first-up when arriving in time to take out the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes here over 1400m, whilst Maximillius and Holymanz finished within a whisker of him on that day. Throw in the unknown factor of Attrition, the 2023 Australian Guineas shapes as beauty as the chances do not end there.

2023 Australian Guineas selections & best bets

• 15

  LEGARTO

• 1

  JACQUINOT

• 2

  ELLIPTICAL

• 12

  MAXIMILLIUS

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