The Thousand Guineas is a Group 1 race at Caulfield on Saturday, and it includes the best middle-distance fillies in Australia.
Thousand Guineas odds have an even betting field for the 1600m feature, so punters get value odds.
Thousand Guineas Final Field & Barrier Draw
| 1. Lara Antipova (9) J: Craig Williams 56kg 1×914 T: Mark Walker | |||
| Most recently raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 9 in the G2 Bill Stutt Stakes at this track on September 27 over 1600m, 2 len behind Diameter carrying 55kg at $2.60. The run before that favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 0.8 len in the LR Michael Moroney (Exford Plate) at Flemington on September 12 over 1400m defeating Aragog with 57.5kg at $9. Going well but have other form lines stronger. | |||
| 2. Pretty Baby (5) J: Damian Lane 56kg 11112 T: Gordon Richards & Damien Moyle | |||
| Racing well recently. Last start made ground from midfield; 2nd of 9 in the LR Jim Moloney Stakes at this track on September 27 over 1440m, 1.0 len behind Regal Ambition carrying 57.5kg at $2.15. The race before that favourite; came from midfield and scored a big 4 len win in the LR Atlantic Jewel Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1300m on a soft track defeating Ghana’s Akan with 57.5kg at $5.50. Beaten last time but gets D Lane and draws well, can bounce back. | |||
| 3. Saintly Dancer (4) J: Blake Shinn 56kg 21621 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Recent form sound. Most recently won by 6 len in the G2 Edward Manifold Stakes at Flemington on October 3 over 1600m in heavy going defeating Joely carrying 56kg at $6.50. The start before that sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 10 in the G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude at this track on September 19 over 1400m, 0.8 len behind Icelady with 56kg at $8. Dominant latest on wet ground, have to respect again. | |||
| 4. De Armas (7) J: William Pike 56kg x4x52 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming got back early 5th of 10 in a 3yo Bm68 at Warwick Farm on September 23 over 1200m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Blessed Eagle carrying 61kg at $71. Second run from a spell raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 7 in the G1 Flight Stakes at Randwick on October 3 over 1600m, slow going long-neck behind Global Goal carrying 56kg at $12. Can improve again, have to respect yard bringing her down. | |||
| 5. Icelady (10) J: Ethan Brown 56kg 22×21 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. First-up tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 11 in a 3yo F Mdn-Sw at Geelong on August 28 over 1147m, slow going 1.75 len behind Over Excited carrying 57kg at $3.40. Second-up won by 0.8 len in the G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude at this track on September 19 over 1400m defeating Saintly Dancer carrying 56kg at $7.50. Beat Saintly Dancer two back which counts for something. | |||
| 6. Grinzinger Heart (3) J: Lachlan King 56kg 19×07 T: Ben Brisbourne | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming ran last of 11 in the LR Atlantic Jewel Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1300m, on a slow track; 15 len behind Pretty Baby with 58.5kg at $21. Second-up sat on the pace before fading 7th of 9 in the LR Jim Moloney Stakes at this track on September 27 over 1440m, 5.5 len behind Regal Ambition with 58.5kg at $81. Not going well enough. | |||
| 7. Rubi’s Choice (1) J: Lachlan Neindorf 56kg 14×54 T: Greg Eurell | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming 5th of 11 in the LR Atlantic Jewel Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1300m, on a slow track; 6 len behind Pretty Baby carrying 58.5kg at $10. Second-up 4th of 9 in the LR Jim Moloney Stakes at this track on September 27 over 1440m, 3.5 len behind Regal Ambition carrying 58.5kg at $8.50. Others rate better this time. | |||
| 8. Over The Bridge (13) J: Mark Zahra 56kg 11 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Yet to taste defeat in two starts. When well in the market on debut, favourite; came from midfield and won by 2 len in a 3yo F Mdn-Sw at Bendigo on September 6 over 1100m on a soft track defeating Youmzaa carrying 57kg at $2.40. Last start favourite; won by a head in the G3 Scarborough Stakes at this track on September 27 over 1200m defeating I Am Aria with 56kg at $2.90. Very interesting entry up in trip, she’s certainly got ability. | |||
| 9. Regal Ambition (11) J: Michael Dee 56kg 2×11 T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming won by 0.8 len in a 3yo Mdn-Sw at Sandown-Hillside on September 9 over 1200m in soft going defeating Stipulation carrying 56kg at $2.15. Last start won by 1.0 len in the LR Jim Moloney Stakes at this track on September 27 over 1440m defeating Pretty Baby with 56kg at $5.50. Big win latest and can go right on with it. | |||
| 10. Salann (6) J: Rachel King 56kg 22×80 T: Ben Brisbourne | |||
| Third-up today. First-up got back early 8th of 12 in a 3yo Mdn-Sw at Bendigo on September 6 over 1300m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Zambales with 56kg at $14. Second-up ran last of 11 in the G2 Edward Manifold Stakes at Flemington on October 3 over 1600m, on rain affected going; 16 len behind Saintly Dancer carrying 56kg at $10. Can’t have. | |||
| 11. Sing Your Song (2) J: Jye Mcneil 56kg 2×313 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Racing well recently. Last start 3rd of 7 in a F&M Bm78 at Randwick Kensington on October 7 over 1400m, slow going 1.2 len behind Alabama Fox carrying 52kg at $5. The start before that won by a long-neck in a Super 3yo Mdn at Warwick Farm on September 2 over 1400m defeating Waiheke Rose with 55.5kg at $2.60. Has ability and drawn well, rough hope. | |||
| 12. Katoto (8) J: Tyler Schiller 56kg 13×45 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming eased back early on ran second last in a small field in a 3yo Bm64 at Warwick Farm on September 2 over 1200m, 1.0 len behind Sequinned with 61kg at $6. Second-up got back early 5th of 9 in the LR Jim Moloney Stakes at this track on September 27 over 1440m, 4 len behind Regal Ambition carrying 56kg at $18. Looks suited to a mile and is a blowout chance at odds. | |||
| 13. Platinum Pearl (12) J: Thomas Stockdale 56kg 323 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Racing well recently. At the latest run sat on speed throughout when 3rd of 9 in the LR Jim Moloney Stakes at this track on September 27 over 1440m, 2.5 len behind Regal Ambition with 56kg at $10. The race before that 2nd of 11 in a 3yo F Mdn-Sw at Seymour on September 10 over 1300m, slow going nose behind Nikitria with 57kg at $2.35. Bit unlucky latest but still has a few lengths to find. | |||
Barrier draws over 1600m at Caulfield are important, and winning the Thousand Guineas barrier draw was Saintly Dancer in barrier 4. She has been heavily backed to win after opening at $6.50.
Regal Ambition opened as the favourite, but she’s on the drift after drawing barrier 11. She’ll need luck, as will Lara Antipova, who drew awkwardly in barrier 9.
The New Zealand filly will need some luck from the wide draw, and she could struggle to find the front.
Her best form comes over 1400m, and her efforts over the mile haven’t been flash. She wasn’t too bad last time out, but she will need to improve a couple of lengths on that effort to go close.
| 1. Lara Antipova (9) J: Craig Williams 56kg 1×914 T: Mark Walker | |||
| Most recently raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 9 in the G2 Bill Stutt Stakes at this track on September 27 over 1600m, 2 len behind Diameter carrying 55kg at $2.60. The run before that favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 0.8 len in the LR Michael Moroney (Exford Plate) at Flemington on September 12 over 1400m defeating Aragog with 57.5kg at $9. Going well but have other form lines stronger. | |||
Her winning streak came to an end when being beaten by Regal Ambition last time out, but she didn’t lose any admirers.
It was a solid effort in defeat, but it was still a solid second placing, and she could bounce back in fine style on Saturday. She has plenty of ability, and despite the betting drift, she should be right in the thick of the action.
| 2. Pretty Baby (5) J: Damian Lane 56kg 11112 T: Gordon Richards & Damien Moyle | |||
| Racing well recently. Last start made ground from midfield; 2nd of 9 in the LR Jim Moloney Stakes at this track on September 27 over 1440m, 1.0 len behind Regal Ambition carrying 57.5kg at $2.15. The race before that favourite; came from midfield and scored a big 4 len win in the LR Atlantic Jewel Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1300m on a soft track defeating Ghana’s Akan with 57.5kg at $5.50. Beaten last time but gets D Lane and draws well, can bounce back. | |||
There has been a massive betting move on Saintly Dancer, who opened at $7.50, and that’s a big firm in the first couple of hours of betting.
Her win last time out came by six lengths, and she controlled the race before kicking away for a dominant victory. That win is good enough to take her close in the Thousand Guineas, and the money could be well-placed.
| 3. Saintly Dancer (4) J: Blake Shinn 56kg 21621 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Recent form sound. Most recently won by 6 len in the G2 Edward Manifold Stakes at Flemington on October 3 over 1600m in heavy going defeating Joely carrying 56kg at $6.50. The start before that sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 10 in the G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude at this track on September 19 over 1400m, 0.8 len behind Icelady with 56kg at $8. Dominant latest on wet ground, have to respect again. | |||
Chris Waller has worked his magic with De Armas, who was heavily backed to win last start when running second behind Global Goal.
That’s a good form guide for racing in Melbourne, and Sydney form has already shown up in Victoria this preparation with Warwoven winning the Caulfield Guineas.
She has drifted slightly, but the former Kiwi has enough ability to beat this field.
| 4. De Armas (7) J: William Pike 56kg x4x52 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming got back early 5th of 10 in a 3yo Bm68 at Warwick Farm on September 23 over 1200m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Blessed Eagle carrying 61kg at $71. Second run from a spell raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 7 in the G1 Flight Stakes at Randwick on October 3 over 1600m, slow going long-neck behind Global Goal carrying 56kg at $12. Can improve again, have to respect yard bringing her down. | |||
She’s sneaking under the radar after beating Saintly Dancer last start, and that form was well and truly franked.
She has been biding her time since that victory, and considering Saintly Dancer is $4.60, the $10 for Icelady must be considered.
| 5. Icelady (10) J: Ethan Brown 56kg 22×21 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. First-up tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 11 in a 3yo F Mdn-Sw at Geelong on August 28 over 1147m, slow going 1.75 len behind Over Excited carrying 57kg at $3.40. Second-up won by 0.8 len in the G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude at this track on September 19 over 1400m defeating Saintly Dancer carrying 56kg at $7.50. Beat Saintly Dancer two back which counts for something. | |||
Huge odds after two disappointing runs this campaign, and we can’t see her turning that form around in time for this race.
She’s paying triple-figure odds, which isn’t surprising.
| 6. Grinzinger Heart (3) J: Lachlan King 56kg 19×07 T: Ben Brisbourne | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming ran last of 11 in the LR Atlantic Jewel Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1300m, on a slow track; 15 len behind Pretty Baby with 58.5kg at $21. Second-up sat on the pace before fading 7th of 9 in the LR Jim Moloney Stakes at this track on September 27 over 1440m, 5.5 len behind Regal Ambition with 58.5kg at $81. Not going well enough. | |||
A first-four chance with the right run in transit, but she is another runner who will need to improve.
She gets all favours off the inside draw, which is why she’s not drifting in the market, and she will enjoy a sweet trip in transit.
| 7. Rubi’s Choice (1) J: Lachlan Neindorf 56kg 14×54 T: Greg Eurell | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming 5th of 11 in the LR Atlantic Jewel Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1300m, on a slow track; 6 len behind Pretty Baby carrying 58.5kg at $10. Second-up 4th of 9 in the LR Jim Moloney Stakes at this track on September 27 over 1440m, 3.5 len behind Regal Ambition carrying 58.5kg at $8.50. Others rate better this time. | |||
Unbeaten fillies always attract attention in betting markets, and she has been met with solid support since markets opened.
She hasn’t faced this level of opposition, which is the main concern, and drawing wide could see her settle too far back in the run.
She is a winning hope, but there are better-placed runners in this field.
| 8. Over The Bridge (13) J: Mark Zahra 56kg 11 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Yet to taste defeat in two starts. When well in the market on debut, favourite; came from midfield and won by 2 len in a 3yo F Mdn-Sw at Bendigo on September 6 over 1100m on a soft track defeating Youmzaa carrying 57kg at $2.40. Last start favourite; won by a head in the G3 Scarborough Stakes at this track on September 27 over 1200m defeating I Am Aria with 56kg at $2.90. Very interesting entry up in trip, she’s certainly got ability. | |||
The drifting favourite after opening at $3.90, and although it’s not a concerning drift, there is some trepidation in betting markets.
She will need things to go her way from a wide barrier, and although she put Pretty Baby away easily last time out, she had the right run to suit.
She’s getting out to each-way odds, which is a price worth taking.
| 9. Regal Ambition (11) J: Michael Dee 56kg 2×11 T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming won by 0.8 len in a 3yo Mdn-Sw at Sandown-Hillside on September 9 over 1200m in soft going defeating Stipulation carrying 56kg at $2.15. Last start won by 1.0 len in the LR Jim Moloney Stakes at this track on September 27 over 1440m defeating Pretty Baby with 56kg at $5.50. Big win latest and can go right on with it. | |||
Not fancied after two average runs this preparation, and we can’t see that form holding up well enough to figure in the finish.
There has been no interest in her odds, and we can’t see money coming for her on race day.
| 10. Salann (6) J: Rachel King 56kg 22×80 T: Ben Brisbourne | |||
| Third-up today. First-up got back early 8th of 12 in a 3yo Mdn-Sw at Bendigo on September 6 over 1300m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Zambales with 56kg at $14. Second-up ran last of 11 in the G2 Edward Manifold Stakes at Flemington on October 3 over 1600m, on rain affected going; 16 len behind Saintly Dancer carrying 56kg at $10. Can’t have. | |||
Punters have to always respect a Waller-trained runner, and although he has a few in this race, Sing Your Song has a chance to win.
She has been in good form this preparation with a win and two placings, and if she can rise to this level, she could figure in the finish at double-figure odds.
Barrier 2 is ideal, and she’s a tidy place hope.
| 11. Sing Your Song (2) J: Jye Mcneil 56kg 2×313 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Racing well recently. Last start 3rd of 7 in a F&M Bm78 at Randwick Kensington on October 7 over 1400m, slow going 1.2 len behind Alabama Fox carrying 52kg at $5. The start before that won by a long-neck in a Super 3yo Mdn at Warwick Farm on September 2 over 1400m defeating Waiheke Rose with 55.5kg at $2.60. Has ability and drawn well, rough hope. | |||
Another Waller-trained runner, but we’re happy to put a line through her chances after finishing fourth and fifth this preparation.
Those efforts didn’t come against hard opposition, so she’ll need to find a few lengths, and we can’t see that happening.
| 12. Katoto (8) J: Tyler Schiller 56kg 13×45 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming eased back early on ran second last in a small field in a 3yo Bm64 at Warwick Farm on September 2 over 1200m, 1.0 len behind Sequinned with 61kg at $6. Second-up got back early 5th of 9 in the LR Jim Moloney Stakes at this track on September 27 over 1440m, 4 len behind Regal Ambition carrying 56kg at $18. Looks suited to a mile and is a blowout chance at odds. | |||
She has yet to win a race from three attempts, but she has been close with three placings, and any runner from the Maher stable can’t be overlooked.
He’s having a great season so far, and if there are any positive betting moves for her on race day, she could be the one to include in picks at a price.
| 13. Platinum Pearl (12) J: Thomas Stockdale 56kg 323 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Racing well recently. At the latest run sat on speed throughout when 3rd of 9 in the LR Jim Moloney Stakes at this track on September 27 over 1440m, 2.5 len behind Regal Ambition with 56kg at $10. The race before that 2nd of 11 in a 3yo F Mdn-Sw at Seymour on September 10 over 1300m, slow going nose behind Nikitria with 57kg at $2.35. Bit unlucky latest but still has a few lengths to find. | |||