If evidence of the interstate rivalry that exists between Sydney and Melbourne is ever required, this Saturday's race programme should be presented as 'Exhibit A.'
If evidence of the interstate rivalry that exists between Sydney and Melbourne is ever required, this Saturday's race programme should be presented as 'Exhibit A.'
The two most important races in Australia this weekend are both versions of the Guineas - both are for three-year-olds over 1,600m, and both are run on the same afternoon.
The G1 Australian Guineas, carrying A$750,000 prizemoney at Flemington, Melbourne, has attracted 16 runners, while the G1 Randwick Guineas, with A$1m up for grabs at Randwick, Sydney, has a field of 13.
How and why does this happen? These are questions that only a select few in racing can answer, but whatever the reason, it must point to a very buoyant economy within the sport at present to support such a situation.
In the end, most stables stay in their respective home cities, for whichever Guineas, and curiously in the circumstances, both fields are still strong.
Godolphin trainer John O'Shea remains in Sydney, where he will saddle the interesting Etymology, runner-up in the G1 Victoria Derby at Flemington last October, as well as Shards, who finished second in the G2 Vase at Moonee Valley before a disappointing ninth in the Derby.
Etymology, who is bred to stay 2,400m, has had one run back from a spell, and improvement is expected this time from the son of Darley stallion New Approach.
The Chris Waller-trained Press Statement is the one to beat in the Randwick Guineas on form. He won the G1 Caulfield Guineas last October, and on his first run back this year, he landed the G2 Hobartville Stakes, beating Le Romain and Montaigne, who both re-oppose.
The inclusion of New Zealand three-year-old Xtravagant in the Australian Guineas in Melbourne makes it a fascinating race. This son of Pentire won the G1 NZ 2,000 Guineas at Riccarton in November, and more recently hacked up in the G1 NRM Sprint at Te Rapa to persuade connections to try their luck in Melbourne.
He is opposed by Tarzino and Jameka, winners of the G1 Victoria Derby and G1 Crown Oaks, and Mahuta, who has now chalked up six wins in a row, including his last outing in the G2 Autumn Stakes at Caulfield.
Back in Sydney, the Godolphin duo Astern and Tessera both put unbeaten records on the line in the G2 Todman Stakes - they face smart juvenile Capitalist - while Calliope tries to recapture her best form, following a lack-lustre run at Caulfield in the G2 Reisling Stakes. All will be trying to confirm the G1 Golden Slipper as their next assignment.
The remaining G1 race on which to comment is the Canterbury Stakes, over 1,300m at Randwick.
The return to the track of Kermadec (a son of Teofilo) is a point of interest, as too is the prolific winner Our Boy Malachi and Criterion.
Holler, a solid sprinter for Godolphin, won the G2 Australian Stakes at Moonee Valley and should be prominent for a long way against stronger rivals.
