The time-honoured Australian Guineas 2024, a Group 1 $1 million race over the mile distance, takes centre stage at Flemington on Saturday.
Riff Rocket is tipped to pick up a second Group 1 as favourite in Saturday’s 2024 Australian Guineas at Flemington. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
A capacity field of talented three-year-olds has been assembled, with Chris Waller‘s Riff Rocket emerging as the clear favourite at $2.60 through Ladbrokes.
Riff Rocket, an American Pharoah gelding, boasts a consistent and versatile record.
He has won five of his eight career starts, with the highlight being his impressive victory in the Group 1 Victoria Derby last spring.
In his first run back from a break, he surprised many by winning the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes over a shorter-than-ideal distance of 1400m.
He remains the short-priced favourite to complete the CS Hayes-Australian Guineas double.
Craig Williams stays aboard Riff Rocket for this challenge, aiming to deliver Waller his first victory in the Australian Guineas.
However, Riff Rocket faces stiff competition from a full field, with only two other runners currently under $10 for the win.
Veight, trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy, is the early mover in the market, shortening from $7 to $5.50.
This Grunt colt seeks his fifth win in his tenth career start. He has been performing well this preparation, finishing second in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas in the spring and showing promise in recent runs.
King Colorado, trained by Ciaron Maher, is another key contender at $7.
The Kingman colt has been consistent this season, securing back-to-back seconds in the Group 3 Manfred Stakes and CS Hayes Stakes.
Punters seeking value can find several interesting options at longer odds.
Southport Tycoon, trained by Maher, comes off a strong second-place finish in the Group 2 Autumn Stakes and is well-drawn for jockey Jamie Kah.
Snow Patrol, trained by Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr, recently claimed victory in the Group 2 Autumn Stakes and cannot be ruled out.
Additionally, the same stable’s lightly-raced colt Otago, who finished fourth in the CS Hayes in just his third career start, has the potential to improve significantly.
The Australian Guineas promises to be an exciting race with a strong favourite facing several worthy challengers.
All eyes will be on Riff Rocket as he attempts to extend his winning streak and claim another Group 1 victory for Chris Waller.
2024 Australian Guineas Field
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Probable Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17x12121x1 | RIFF ROCKET | Chris Waller | Craig Williams | 9 | 57kg | 107 | ||
| 2 | 14x1525x14 | VEIGHT | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Damian Lane | 6 | 57kg | 105 | ||
| 3 | 11x9740x22 | KING COLORADO | Ciaron Maher | Mark Zahra | 12 | 57kg | 96 | ||
| 4 | 42x128412x | APULIA | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Luke Currie | 15 | 57kg | 100 | ||
| 5 | 43x11413x3 | ZIPAWAY | Neville Parnham | Steven Parnham | 10 | 57kg | 100 | ||
| 6 | 335x9732x6 | CAP FERRAT | Chris Waller | Joshua Parr | 2 | 57kg | 85 | ||
| 7 | 44×01112 | THE PENDRAGON (NZ) | Michael Moroney | Jordan Childs | 14 | 57kg | 95 | ||
| 8 | 6111×9 | RUN HARRY RUN | Michael Moroney | Daniel Stackhouse | 16 | 57kg | 88 | ||
| 9 | x52512413x | SUNSETS | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | John Allen | 13 | 57kg | 90 | ||
| 10 | 12625×3 | VERDAD | Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock | Jye McNeil | 3 | 57kg | 81 | ||
| 11 | 134×1 | SNOW PATROL (NZ) | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Blake Shinn | 7 | 57kg | 90 | ||
| 12 | 1129×22 | SOUTHPORT TYCOON | Ciaron Maher | Ms Jamie Kah | 4 | 57kg | 90 | ||
| 13 | 114 | OTAGO (NZ) | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Ben Melham | 5 | 57kg | 74 | ||
| 14 | 6086×11455 | HEY FAT CAT | Robbie Laing | Ethan Brown | 1 | 57kg | 81 | ||
| 15 | 1x11x2214 | QUINTESSA (NZ) | Mark Walker | Michael Dee | 8 | 55kg | 105 | ||
| 16 | 91908×3 | VIESTE | Benjamin Smith | Brock Ryan | 17 | 55kg | 64 | ||
| 17e | x5167669x2 | MAH ALI | Benjamin Smith | Fred Kersley | 11 | 55kg | 63 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
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