Star Godolphin colt Anamoe will have revenge on his mind this Saturday as he looks to turn the tables on Blue Diamond winner Artorius in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas.
The pair went toe-to-toe in the autumn’s richest juvenile race and will now head into this weekend’s $2 million feature as short-priced favourites in the field of 16.
Team Hawkes, who won this race last year with Ole Kirk, will lineup Mr Mozart, while Chris Waller is looking to claim his third Caulfield Guineas when he lines up Coastwatch and Giannis.
Fresh from the highs of Incentivise’s win in the Turnbull last week, trainer Peter Moody will now have his sights set on a third Group 1 since returning to the training ranks when he saddles the Guineas Prelude winner, Lightsaber.
In what is shaping up to be another excellent edition of the stallion-making race, find out our thoughts on each runner in our 2021 Caulfield Guineas Preview below!
Anamoe
Anamoe emerged as one of the top two-year-olds in the country last season, running third in the Blue Diamond to Artorius before winning the Group 1 Sires’ Produce comfortably at Randwick.
The Godolphin galloper has returned the same horse as a three-year-old, opening his account with a win in the Run to the Rose prior to a narrow second in the Golden Rose a fortnight ago.
The barrier and the fact this is his first look at the mile are the two queries, but the turn of foot he possesses more than outweighs all of that.
Artorius
Blue Diamond winner Artorius strips fitter for three runs back and looks well-placed to improve on a last-start fourth in the Golden Rose.
The colt by Flying Artie was forced to shuffle back from the wide draw but still made up enormous ground out wide to just miss out on the money.
The step up to the mile looks ideal based on that, and with some fitness now on his side, he’s one of the main chances after drawing a gate.
Tiger of Malay
Tiger of Malay is having his third run back after finding the line for fifth in the Golden Rose two weeks ago.
The Freedman-trained Tiger of Malay looked to have plenty left in the tank rounding the turn but was hampered in the finish after copping a knock around the 400m mark.
He should take plenty of improvement away from that run, while the fact he ran third over the mile in the Group 1 J.J. Atkins at Eagle Farm works in his favour.
Alpine Edge
Alpine Edge is stepping up to Group 1 level for the first time following three impressive runs leading in.
The Edmonds-trained colt was a clear winner first-up at Eagle Farm before going on to run second to Startantes at Doomben, who ran third in last week’s Flight Stakes.
He wasn’t disgraced finishing fourth in the Guineas Prelude last time out and is a genuine contender on a firm track.
Captivant
Unlike most, Captivant is already proven over the mile after wrapping up his autumn prep with a narrow win in the Champagne Stakes at Randwick.
He’s failed to run a place in his last two starts but is worth forgiving on his run in the Golden Rose after struggling for running room when trying to shift out down the straight.
Is clearly capable of much better and will appreciate any rain.
Lightsaber
Lightsaber won the Guineas Prelude and is looking to become just the fifth horse since Helmet in 2011 to complete the double.
The Zoustar colt kept finding when something was asked of him late, and will likely appreciate the mile at this stage of his prep.
He’s rock-hard fit for three runs back and is worth a thought if Luke Nolen can offset the gate.
Giannis
Giannis won the Dulcify first-up at Kembla Grange but failed to produce his best in the Golden Rose.
His one start over the mile saw him finish a clear second to Converge in the J.J. Atkins at Eagle Farm in what was also his third run back from a spell.
Needs to improve on his latest effort but looks a good bet for multiples from the soft draw.
Forgot You
Forgot You is in search of his hat-trick following an impressive win over the mile two weeks ago in the Stutt Stakes at The Valley.
That form line has produced 10 winners of the Caulfield Guineas in the past, with Whobegotyou being the most recent horse to complete the double in 2008.
The son of Savabeel has hardly run a bad race in six attempts but will need luck to go his way after drawing barrier 16.
Coastwatch
Coastwatch appears the better of Chris Waller’s two chances based on recent form.
The gelding by Fastnet Rock finished a nose second to Tiger of Malay in the Group 3 Up and Coming Stakes at Kembla Grange last month, before going on to win the Ming Dynasty a fortnight later.
His most recent run saw him finish 1.5L third in the Golden Rose where he responded well to pressure down the straight, while the fact he’s proven on rain-affected going makes him one of the better value bets.
Mr Mozart
Mr Mozart stamped himself as a horse to watch on debut when winning by a length at Warwick Farm during the autumn.
He’s since resumed to win the Exford Plate at Flemington third-up, while he was unlucky not to make it a double two weeks ago when pipped right on the line by Forgot You in the Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley.
With a run over the mile under his belt, he can’t be overestimated.
Daily Bugle
Daily Bugle has raced well without winning this time in work and is another one coming off an impressive performance in the Stutt Stakes.
The colt by Press Statement put down the challenge over the final furlong but just ran out of gas after overcoming a wide position earlier on.
He’ll only be fitter for that run and could sneak a place at juicy odds.
Knightstown
Knightstown won his maiden at Morphettville back in August and has produced some okay performances since.
He ran well in a couple of black-type races over the autumn but still looks outclassed here.
Dark Rebel
Dark Rebel won on debut at Warwick Farm in May but has struggled to produce anything close to that performance since.
He was the last to greet the judge in the Gloaming at Rosehill and his market price tells you all you need to know.
Zerelle
Zerelle showed improvement for fourth in his third run back at Flemington, but that was against a much easier class of horses.
His previous run in the Group 3 McNeil Stakes at Caulfield left a lot to be desired and he’ll only find this tougher.
Riverplate
Riverplate is yet to win a race from four attempts and was the victim of some poor luck last time out in the Stutt Stakes.
He is capable of improving on that run, but this still looks beyond him.
Prix de Turn
Prix de Turn finished strongly through the line for second on debut at Sandown two weeks ago but is facing a much stiffer challenge here.
Will be better for the experience.
Hitotsu
First emergency Hitotsu won his maiden not long after changing hands to the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace team last month.
He gapped his rivals by nearly two lengths at Donald and should appreciate the mile if nothing else.
Caulfield Guineas Tip
2 Artorius at $3.90