The Golden Rose's reputation as a benchmark three-year-old race has trainer Grahame Begg convinced Ilovethiscity can complete his Caulfield Guineas build-up on a winning note.Ilovethiscity will have his final start before next month's Group One classic when he lines up in the $175,000 Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle on Wednesday.Rated the unlucky runner when a fast-finishing third to Toorak Toff in the Golden Rose, Ilovethiscity will be a warm favourite to make amends in the Group Three."Look

The Golden Rose's reputation as a benchmark three-year-old race has trainer Grahame Begg convinced Ilovethiscity can complete his Caulfield Guineas build-up on a winning note.

Ilovethiscity will have his final start before next month's Group One classic when he lines up in the $175,000 Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle on Wednesday.

Rated the unlucky runner when a fast-finishing third to Toorak Toff in the Golden Rose, Ilovethiscity will be a warm favourite to make amends in the Group Three.

"Looking at the field there's a lot of horses who are coming out of maiden races whereas Ilovethiscity goes into the race off a Group One placing," Begg said.

"Every year the Golden Rose form stands up and already you've got a horse like (fourth-placed) Decision Time who has come out and won (the Heritage Stakes)at his next start."

Begg said he had had limited runners in the Spring Stakes but he trained Back Off to fill a minor placing in 2008.

"Back Off won a maiden on the Kensington track at Randwick at his start before," Begg said.

"You would have to say Ilovethiscity has infinitely better form than what he did."

Ilovethiscity is the Caulfield Guineas second favourite at $8 behind Toorak Toff at $5.

Toorak Toff is nominated to run in the Guineas Prelude at Caulfield on Saturday - an option Begg gave serious thought to before deciding to keep the progressive colt closer to home.

"While the tracks are drying out now in Sydney I thought it was best to stay put," he said.

Ilovethiscity will start from barrier 15 in a field of 16 with Melbourne-based jockey Glen Boss in the saddle for the first time.

Newcastle's expansive layout has Begg almost dismissive of the wide barrier.

"I don't think there is any need to panic about the draw," he said.

"There's a nice long run to the first turn and just as long as he can get a bit of cover he should be fine."

Ilovethiscity was held up until the 150-metre mark in the Golden Rose before rushing home late at $26 to be beaten a half neck and a short neck.

Boss will be out to claim a feature double on the first day of the Newcastle Jockey Club's spring carnival.

He will also ride gifted four-year-old Star Of Octagonal in the Group Three Cameron Handicap (1300m).

Fellow Melbourne jockey James Winks has earned a Newcastle call-up to ride the bulk of John Thompson's Patinack Farm entries.

Winks' mounts include Trusting in the Cameron and Heartsareforlove, one of four fillies in the Spring Stakes.