Thousand Guineas Prelude

THE Thousand Guineas Prelude is a group two for three-year-olds and is run every September in preparation for the Group 1 Thousand Guineas.

Run over 1400m for a purse of $200,000, the Thousand Guineas Prelude is a key lead-in race to the Thousand Guineas and punters should use the prelude as a guide to betting the feature which takes two weeks later.

Legless Veuve won the 2016 running of the Thousand Guineas Prelude on September 25.

Past winners have included the likes of Miss Finland and Ortensia, but the Thousand Guineas Prelude isn’t a career-making race so be weary when following the form out of this race later in the fillies’ career.

Always a popular betting race, the Prelude is run on the same day as the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and attracts plenty of attention from punters.

Best Thousand Guineas Prelude bookmakers

With the Thousand Guineas being one of the biggest races during the Melbourne Spring carnival, any lead-up race is worth betting on.

The Prelude is the best guide for punters and the bookmakers take the race very seriously. Expect markets for the Prelude to be open in mid-September and punters can bet into Thousand Guineas markets any time throughout the year.

The following bookmakers provide betting on the Thousand Guineas Prelude.

Recent runnings of the Thousand Guineas Prelude

2018: The market favoured Smart Melody heavily leading into the Prelude and the Kris Lees-trained runner didn’t let backers down. Racing on the speed Smart Melody kicked away from the field at the 200m and did enough to hold off all comers to deliver strongly.

2017: Matthew Ellerton and Simon Zahra-trained Booker delivered a strong front-running performance to win the Thousand Guineas Prelude. After taking to the front early in the piece the horse maintained the rage to lead the field into the final 200m. She was there to be beaten as the post approached but did even to cling to victory.

2016: Legless Veuve, trained by Stuart Webb, had been backed from $17 into $12 on course and he didn’t disappoint his many passengers. The three-year-old, ridden by Mark Zahra, pressed forward and had enough tickets in the tank to hold off La Luna Rossa ($17) and Sword of Light ($51). Read the full report.

2015: Miss Gunpowder landed the betting plunge when it scored by a length for trainer Phillip Stokes. The filly from Adelaide had been well backed throughout the week and it closed at $4.25. It jumped well with Craig Williams in the saddle and despite being taken on in the early stages, held off Payroll and quality filly Jameka in the run to the line. Horses that finished out of the placings included Pasadena Girl and Stay With Me which went on to win notable races.

2014: Afleet Esprit continued its good form in 2014 with a win in the Prelude. The Hayes/Dabernig-trained filly was supported into $6.50 with bookmakers having performed well throughout the season and it showed its class on race day. The daughter of Bel Esprit received the benefit of a plumb Damien Oliver ride and punters were cheering it home. Amicus and Go Indy Go filled the placings and again the Prelude would be a great form guide to races later in the Melbourne spring.

2013: The favoured runners notched another win in 2013 when Gregers held on gamely to record the narrow win. David Hayes trained the Commands filly which needed a 10/10 ride from young Chad Schofield to pull off the win at odds of $6.50. Schofield stayed along the inside of runners and put Gregers into a winning position. Race-favourite Politeness loomed in the straight, but managed only third as Marianne ($8) launched late.

2012: Lady Of Harrods caused a minor upset in 2012 when downing race-favourite Commanding Jewel on the line. The Russell Cameron-trained filly stalked the favourite into the straight and dove on the line to win by a half-head over Commanding Jewel which carried great form into the race. Lady Of Harrods didn’t amount to much following the win and the form in behind it, excluding Thousand Guineas winner Commanding Jewel, didn’t stack up to anything, but there were plenty of punters who jumped on the $10 offered by bookmakers.

2011: Controversy was the headline following the 2011 Thousand Guineas Prelude as $21 chance Bliss Street dead-heated with Celebrity Girl (fourth), but was awarded the race on protest. The Daniel Morton-trained filly did it tough after being back and wide, but it unleashed a big sprint to down the quality field. Also included in the protest was race-favourite Hallowell Belle which was promoted to second and also the quality filly Mosheen which moved into third position. Punters of Celebrity Girl ($4.50) were not happy on race day, but there was clear interference in what was one of the best Prelude finishes in history.

Thousand Guineas Prelude betting form guide

The Thousand Guineas Prelude is a major lead-up for the Group 1 Thousand Guineas. Irish Lights was the last horse to complete the double in 2009 and Commanding Jewel won the Thousand Guineas after finishing second in the Prelude two weeks prior.

One of the better thoroughbreds to win the Prelude was Miss Finland in 2006 which went on to a stellar career. 2008 winner Ortensia would also carve out a nice career after its breakthrough win.

Punters should also bet on the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes at Flemington which takes place only a few days after the Prelude. Mosheen won the Edward Manifold Stakes after finishing third in the Prelude and it won win the Thousand Guineas just 10 days later.

Se Sauver finished sixth in 2013 before winning the Edward Manifold and Commanding Jewel also went on to win the Edward Manifold before winning the Thousand Guineas at its next start.

Races like the Flight Stakes and Coolmore Stud Stakes have also been won by Thousand Guineas Prelude entrants.

Thousand Guineas Prelude past winners list

2018 – Smart Melody
2017 – Booker
2015 – Miss Gunpowder
2014 – Afleet Espirit
2013 – Gregers
2012 – Lady Of Harrods
2011 – Bliss Street
2010 – Divorces
2009 – Irish Lights
2008 – Ortensia
2007 – Gabbidon
2006 – Miss Finland
2005 – Doubting
2004 – Hollow Bullet
2003 – Hinting
2002 – La Bella Dame
2001 – Haste Ye Back
2000 – So Gorgeous
1999 – Miss Pennymoney
1998 – Danelagh
1997 – Cornwall Queen
1996 – Derobe
1995 – Rubidium
1994 – Majestic Dawn
1993 – Brompton Cross
1992 – Azzurro
1991 – Chador
1990 – Century Pike
1989 – Pleasure Bandit
1988 – Imposing Bloom
1987 – Bianco Flyer
1986 – Shackle
1985 – Jewel In The Crown
1984 – Christmas Hamper
1983 – My Marseillaise