Thousand Guineas Final Field: Waller hunts third-straight success

Thousand Guineas favourite, Aeliana. (Morgan Hancock/Racing Photos)

The three-year-old fillies take centre stage at Caufield on Saturday afternoon, with a quality field of 13 set to line up in the 78th renewal of the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m).

The Chris Waller barn has had great success in the $1.5 million feature of late, with Joliestar (2023) and Madame Pommery (2022) claiming the last two editions, with Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) winner Aeliana looking to etch her name alongside her stable companions.

Horse racing bookmakers wasted no time installing her as the $3.20 favourite despite drawing out in barrier 11.

Star hoop James McDonald will be seeking to continue his dominant display after claiming 11 wins across the Melbourne Cup Carnival, including a victory aboard the daughter of Castelvecchio.

Zeitung was an impressive winner of the Group 3 Vanity (1400m) on November 2 and should appreciate the step up to 1600m as Jamie Kah gets legged aboard from barrier four.

The Godolphin filly is on the second line of betting at $6.00 with Neds and maps to get the run of the race as Kah returns from a 10-meeting suspension.

The Reece Goodwin-trained Lovelycut ($8.50) is the only other runner in the single figures with Playup, while the likes of Dominetta ($11.00) and the undefeated Double Market ($13.00) have been respected opening at double-figure odds.

The chances don’t end there, with the likes of Matisse ($13.00) and Stage ‘N’ Screen ($13.00) representing good each-way value with Bet365.

The 2024 Thousand Guineas is the first leg of the Caulfield quaddie on Saturday afternoon and is scheduled to get underway at 3:45pm local time.