The Group 1 Thousand Guineas headlines an outstanding day of racing at Caulfield on Wednesday.
I’ve run the rule over every galloper and race, and you can find my complete 2021 Thousand Guineas Day Tips below.
Preview brought to you by Neds. Learn more about Neds HERE.
Thoroughbred Breeders Vic Handicap (1600m) – 1:25pm AEDT
Tip: No. 1 Rhinoceros
We launch Thousand Guineas Day with a decent race for three-year-olds and I think that Rhinoceros will take beating again.
Rhinoceros has been good since debuting in July, and he has continued to improve with each start.
He broke his maiden at Sandown three back, he has found form around some notable gallopers, and takes his place in this field following a smart win at The Valley.
Group 3 Neds Coongy Cup (2000m) – 2pm AEDT
Tip: No. 3 Floating Artist
Ballot-free entry into the Caulfield Cup goes on the line when nine stayers contest the Neds Coongy Cup, and I think that clear betting favourite Floating Artist will take beating.
Floating Artist has been nothing short of outstanding this prep, and he has won each of his last three starts with something in hand.
This is a rise in class, but given the calibre of galloper that he has been putting away comfortably, I don’t see why he won’t continue his winning run through the Neds Coongy Cup.
Nick Johnstone Real Estate Handicap (2000m) – 2:35pm AEDT
Tip: No. 4 Mankayan
He’s a month between runs, but Makayan has been racing well in Saturday metro company this prep, and he looks well placed to strike at Caulfield on Wednesday.
The Intello gelding has been a model of consistency throughout his career, and he is yet to miss placing in three starts since arriving in Australia.
Given the space between starts, I don’t think that the drop in trip will be a hassle for him, and I am happy to give him another chance in something of this quality.
Beck Probuild Handicap (2400m) – 3:10pm AEDT
Tip: No. 10 Accountability
This is a pretty decent stayers’ race and there is a case to be made for a few, but I think that Accountability’s residual fitness will prove key, and I am happy to stick with him.
He too is a month between runs, but Accountability has been nothing short of outstanding this time, and he is seeking a hat-trick of wins after winning at Randwick-Kensington and Kembla Grange.
A horse like Smokin’ Romans could run away with this race, but given his a little longer between runs and stepping back down from 3000m, I am going to take him on.
Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1400m) – 3:45pm AEDT
Tip: No. 1 Arcadia Prince
I’m going to have something of a throw at the stumps in Race 5, and I think that a horse like Arcadia Prince can run well fresh.
Arcadia Prince was a notable galloper in Western Australia earlier in his career, and finished fifth in the Group 2 Australia Stakes at The Valley in his first start for Amy McDonald earlier this year.
He didn’t measure up in the Group 1 Neds CF Orr Stakes and was sent to the paddock, but this is obviously a decent drop in class from that race, and he should receive every chance on Wednesday from an inside draw.
Group 3 Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) – 4:25pm AEDT
Tip: No. 1 Profiteer
This year’s Blue Sapphire Stakes field is nothing short of outstanding and features several leading three-year-olds, including Profiteer.
Profiteer stamped himself as a colt to follow during his two-year-old season, and gave his rivals windburn in the Inglis Millennium before finishing second behind Anamoe in the Todman most notably.
He ran home well to finish sixth, beaten a little more than two lengths in the Group 1 Moir Stakes when resuming and he will relish the drop in class.
Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) – 5:05pm AEDT
Tip: No. 1 Swift Witness
I’ve stuck with her every time that she has stepped out this spring, and the Thousand Guineas looks a very winnable race for Swift Witness.
Swift Witness stamped herself as filly to follow during an impressive summer campaign, and she returned a winning this time with an eye-catching performance in the Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes.
She hasn’t returned to winning form in three subsequent starts, but she also wasn’t far away from the winner on any occasion, and she takes her place in this race off the back of a credible fourth in the Group 1 Flight Stakes.
The $12 we are getting in Thousand Guineas betting at publish is over the odds in my opinion, and I am more than happy to dive in again.
Group 3 Ladies’ Day Vase (1600m) – 5:45pm AEDT
Tip: No. 3 Ecumenical
I’m going to have something on South Aussie Ecumenical in this year’s Ladies’ Day Vase.
Ecumenical returned to the races last month for a lovely win in BM82 company at Morphettville, and she only just missed behind Annavisto here two starts back.
She could only manage a midfield place in Group 2 company last time, but this is a genuine drop in class from that contest, a mile is ideal and she looks a touch of overs at around the $17 mark.