| What | 2024 Australian Guineas |
| Where | Flemington Racecourse – 448 Epsom Rd, Flemington VIC 3031 |
| When | Saturday, March 2, 2024 |
| Prizemoney | $1,000,000 |
| Distance | 1600m |
| Conditions | Group 1 |
| 2023 winner | Legarto (9) | T: Ken & Bev Kelso | J: Michael Dee (55kg) |
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The three-year-olds take centre stage at Flemington on Saturday afternoon as a capacity field of 16 does battle in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m). Some nine Group-level winners make up the field, signalling the class that has assembled for the $1 million feature. Can favourite Riff Rocket add an Australian Guineas to his VRC Derby (2500m) victory, or will their be an upset?
2024 Australian Guineas odds
Coming off an impressive victory in the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m), Chris Waller’s Riff Rocket opened as a +190 favourite and has since tightened into +130. Just King Colorado (+600) and Veight (+700) hold a single-figure quote with horse racing betting sites, with last-start Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) winner Snow Patrol the best of the rest at +1000.
2024 Australian Guineas speed map
New Zealand-based runner The Pendragon looks to be the obvious leader in Saturday’s Group 1, with the likes of Sunsets and Verdad expected to hold a forward position. From barrier six, look for Damian Lane to lob Veight just off the speed alongside the likes of Otago and Hey Fat Cat. Race favourite Riff Rocket will be just worse than midfield, most likely in the three-wide line with cover, while King Colorado will be the one charging home late from the rear of the field.
Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for the 2024 Australian Guineas.
Australian Guineas 2024 preview & form
Riff Rocket is impossible to go past in the 2024 Australian Guineas. The Chris Waller-trained runner produced a slick turn of foot over 1400m when returning from his VRC Derby triumph, suggesting the 1600m second-up is perfect for this bloke. The son of American Pharoah has three wins from four goes at Flemington, with the long straight being a key factor. Craig Williams will look for a tow into the race from the 600m mark, and barring any bad luck, Riff Rocket should prove too good once again.
Veight from the Tony & Calvin McEvoy barn was defeated 1.3 lengths by Mr Brightside in a weight-for-age Group 1 last start after a sharp win over 1200m at Moonee Valley, also at WFA level. The query has always been if he can see out the mile, but his runner-up effort in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) during the spring suggests he can with the right run. From barrier six, Damian Lane will likely have the son of Grunt settled in the one-one, and with a tactical advantage over the likes of Riff Rocket and King Colorado, he can pinch a break that might prove too hard to bridge.
King Colorado has put in two impressive runs this autumn without winning. Despite being outsprinted by Riff Rocket in the CS Hayes Stakes, the three-year-old colt will be primed third-up. He will be trialling the favourite wherever he goes, and considering the 1600m is arguably his right distance, compared to Riff Rocket wanting further, King Colorado looks to be a touch over the odds at +600 with online bookmakers.
The Pendragon will be leading this for a long time, while Snow Patrol and Otago look like they will suit 1600m down to the ground. In saying that, the Australian Guineas is Riff Rocket’s to lose.
Australian Guineas 2024 selections & best bets
1
RIFF ROCKET
2
VEIGHT
3
KING COLORADO
7
THE PENDRAGON
| $100 betting strategy | |
|---|---|
| $100 win | Riff Rocket (#1) @ +130 with Picklebet |
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