Australian Guineas, Newmarket Handicap nominations released
Nominations have been released for three Group 1 races at Flemington this autumn, with the Australian Guineas (1600m), Newmarket Handicap (1200m) and Australian Cup (2000m) attracting over 220 entries.
The $1 million Australian Guineas has attracted 111 nominations, headlined by Caulfield Guineas winner Anamoe along with the likes of J.J. Atkins winner Converge, Victoria Derby winner Hitotsu and Thousands Guineas winner Yearning.
A number of horses will be hoping to extend their unbeaten records when they step out in the March 5 feature, with boom filly Espiona, the Nathan Dunn-trained Corona Lad and Saturday’s VOBIS Gold Carat winner at Moonee Valley, Pinstriped, all among the nominations.
Seven Group 1 winners are in the mix, while a number of Group 1-placed three-year-olds will be looking to add a top-tier title to their record.
Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman have nominated just the one galloper, with the powerhouse New Zealand stable hoping White Noise can build on his four consecutive successes in his homeland.
Queensland has a strong hand in the Guineas nominations, with David Vandyke looking to replicate Alligator Blood’s victory in this race in 2020, nominating Naughty Harry for the 1600m event.
Hitotsu is the $3 favourite, with Anamoe ($4.50) unlikely to take his place due to the Randwick Guineas being run on the same day in Sydney.
Hitotsu was backed as if unbeatable and lived right up to it in the VRC Derby! pic.twitter.com/m8ln8FbEDi
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 31, 2021
Seven days after the Australian Guineas, it is Super Saturday at Flemington with the running of two Group 1 races: the Newmarket Handicap and the Australian Cup.
Both races are now worth $1.5 million, with the seven-figure prize purse luring some of Australia’s biggest names.
The Newmarket Handicap is one of the country’s most famous sprint races, with the likes of Placid Ark, Takeover Target, Black Caviar and Lankan Rupee on the honour roll.
The 62 nominations for this year’s edition include some of the world’s best sprinters, such as Nature Strip, Home Affairs, Wild Ruler and Masked Crusader.
Having won the race with a three-year-old Bivouac in 2020, trainer James Cummings is hoping to repeat that feat, nominating five three-year-olds – Ingratiating, Arcaded, Kallos, Paulele and Zethus – alongside stable stalwart Trekking.
Ingratiating won down the Flemington straight in the 2021 Talindert Stakes, prior to finishing in the placings in both the Blue Diamond Stakes and the Golden Slipper Stakes.
Second Listed win for Frosted 2yo INGRATIATING in the Talindert Stakes @FlemingtonVRC Dam Gr2 Obsequious (Lonhro). @godolphin @JamesCummings88 @DarleyAus @DarleyAmerica pic.twitter.com/skXFg8v8l7
— Pedigree Update (@pedigreeupdate) February 13, 2021
Ciaron Maher & David Eustace have a strong hand in the race, with unbeaten sprinter Marabi included in the nominations alongside Away Game, Bella Nipotina, Snapdancer and multiple others.
Last year’s winner, Zoutori, will be looking to do what only five horses have done before him as he looks to win back-to-back Newmarkets.
Having won four of the past seven Australian Cups, Lindsay Park trainers Ben & JD Hayes have nominated four horses this year, headlined by six-time winner Mr Brightside.
Voting is open for the @allstarmile and representing team Lindsay Park is MR BRIGHTSIDE 🌟
He’s back with a vengeance, after just missing in the Gr1 Cantala Stakes.
He wants his shot at the All Star Mile title and he needs YOU to vote him in!
👉https://t.co/4vzvFHXZ8u pic.twitter.com/vsCkQrT8IT
— Lindsay Park Racing (@lindsayparkrace) January 23, 2022
Just like his strong hand in the Newmarket, James Cummings and Godolphin have nominated four high-class horses for the Australian Cup, with Colette, Cascadian, Anamoe and Alegron flying the stable’s flag.
Champion trainer Chris Waller has nominated six horses for the race, including Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant and Group 1 winner Hungry Heart.
The Maher & Eustace stable have nominated multiple runners for the 2000m feature, with Group 3-winning French import Normandy Bridge piquing plenty of early interest with punters, while they could also be represented by Hitotsu, Grandslam and fellow internationals Duke Of Condicote and Worthily.
Prior to markets being adjusted, Delphi, Verry Elleegant and Zaaki shared the top line of Australian Cup betting at $8 apiece, while Anamoe and Cascadian were both $9 chances.
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