Having cast my eye over the Caulfield and Thousand Guineas nominations - as well as the first TAB markets - I have picked out a few horses from the respective editions that I think could prove good prospects this campaign, and perhaps worth a small long-range wager for the 1600m Group 1's. Starting with the Caulfield Guineas, I am a big fan of Aeronautical ($16 for the Guineas). He has been extremely impressive of late with consecutive Randwick wins over 1200m, and at this early stage it looks l
Having cast my eye over the Caulfield and Thousand Guineas nominations - as well as the first TAB markets - I have picked out a few horses from the respective editions that I think could prove good prospects this campaign, and perhaps worth a small long-range wager for the 1600m Group 1's.
Starting with the Caulfield Guineas, I am a big fan of Aeronautical ($16 for the Guineas). He has been extremely impressive of late with consecutive Randwick wins over 1200m, and at this early stage it looks like the 1600m should be within his scope. Lionel Cohen only has a small team but I think he's found a very good one here, with the TAB keeping the gelding safe on the fourth-line of betting.
Now on to some genuine roughies. Danny O'Brien's Running Tall ($31) ran some bold races in the autumn - including his authoritative G2 Sires Produce win - and has always given the impression that he will be suited by a mile. The chestnut son of Stratum cost $500,000 as a yearling and a Guineas win would do wonders for his stallion potential, so you'd think connections will want to press on to the big race should he show enough early this campaign. Stablemate Decircles ($31) recently smashed $1.875m colt Godspeed in a maiden at Seymour and could also have his say in some better races in the coming weeks.
I think John McArdle's Apollo Creed ($51) too looks well above-average and might prove a bit of a surprise packet this spring. He first caught my eye with an effortless four-length win at Seymour before winding up strongly over the 1420m at Flemington to comfortably deal with some good horses. The son of Primus appears certain to run-out a strong mile, too.
As for one at even bigger odds, I note with interest that Rick Hore-Lacy's Chase The Rainbow has already been nibbled at from $101 into $81. The grey won nicely at Geelong recently and though I highly doubt he will measure up to Guineas standard, I certainly think he's a promising horse who will win his share of races.
Stay tuned for my early Thousand Guineas fancies...