The Group 1 Thousand Guineas headlines Wednesday’s mid-week meeting at Caulfield as a bumper lineup of three-year-old’s step out over the mile.
The $1 million purse has attracted a lucrative field of fillies, including Flight Stakes second place-getter Hinged, and lightly-raced Freedman galloper Zouzarella.
Godolphin is looking to win the race for the second time in three years when they lineup Heresy, who ran second in the Guineas Prelude last month to Bon’s A Pearla, a current $19.00 chance.
With several runners eying a start in the Empire Rose Stakes in a fortnight’s time, be sure to read our thoughts on each filly in our 2021 Thousand Guineas Preview!
Swift Witness
Swift Witness stamped herself as a filly to watch during the spring when she won the Silver Shadow at Randwick by half a length first-up from a spell.
She’s been around the mark getting out over further, running on well for a place two back in the Tea Rose before fading late for fourth last time out in the Group 1 Flight Stakes.
The daughter of Star Witness likes racing with some sting out of the track and can play a part if Michael Dee can offset the awkward gate.
Hinged
Hinged showed plenty of improvement second-up when runner up to Never Been Kissed in the Flight Stakes, who ran extremely well last week on the short backup in the Spring Champion Stakes.
Chris Waller’s lightly-raced filly exploded with a big run along the rails and has so far found the money in eight of her nine starts.
She won by nearly four lengths over the mile at Doomben during the winter and only needs to hold her form to be considered a main chance.
Elusive Express
Freedman trained filly Elusive Express has made four starts for two wins so far.
She was strong to the line winning the Edward Manifold at Flemington two weeks ago over the mile and should be fitter now for three runs back.
The wide gate leaves Jye McNeil with a job to do, but the fact she’s a perfect two-from-two on rain-affected going makes her a serious each-way chance.
Bon’s A Pearla
Bon’s A Pearla steps out in search of her hat-trick following a narrow win in the Prelude last month.
She seemingly had plenty left in the tank when crossing the line that day and looks capable of another big run with the blinkers on for the first time.
Literary Magnate
Literary Magnate strips fitter for a last start sixth at Sandown in the Jim Maloney Stakes.
She saved her best for late two runs back to finish third behind Zouzarella at Moonee Valley and will appreciate any rain.
Zouzarella
Zouzarella won on debut at Moonee Valley back in August before going one better to win by two lengths second-up in the Atlantic Jewel.
She came from well-back in the field to finish a length off Queen of Dubai last time out at Sandown and the run suggests she’ll handle the mile.
The Zoustar filly has won on soft going before and rates as one of the main chances with the in-form Brett Pebble in the saddle.
Heresy
Heresy has returned a place in each of her three runs back and looks a genuine contender from the inside gate.
The Godolphin filly looked the winner in the Guineas Prelude but was nailed right on the line by the fast-finishing Bon’s A Pearla.
Damien Oliver sticks aboard and the mile should see her out nicely.
Queen of Dubai
Queen of Dubai went all the way to score last time out at Sandown where she won with plenty left to spare.
Jordan Childs remains in the saddle, and she’ll likely make her own luck again up on speed.
Yearning
Yearning had the gun run last time out in the Edward Manifold before weakening late for second behind Elusive Express.
The fact she’s got a run over the mile to her belt is a big plus and the Sntizel filly will no doubt appreciate any rain about.
Barb Raider
Bard Raider won her maiden by 3.5L over 1600m at Sandown two runs back and was equally impressive over further in her latest at Sandown.
This is a big step up in grade, but Craig Williams has been on board for both of those wins and has plenty to work with here from the soft gate.
The Rebel Raider filly has handled soft tracks in the past and rates as a major player with improvement to come.
Cuban Link
Cuban Link is two-from-three so far but is facing a sharp rise in class here.
The filly by Testa Rossa showed plenty of fight to get the chocolates at Flemington three weeks ago but looks tested in her first look at the mile.
Achira
Achira won her maiden by 1.5L over the mile at Goulburn last time out but is another facing a stiffer challenge on Wednesday.
She struggled at Stakes grade two back at Kembla Grange and also looks a query on a wet track.
Fortunate Kiss
Fortunate Kiss won her maiden well at Warracknabeal first-up and has been thereabouts since rising through the grades.
She deserved to finish closer last time out at Sandown when 5 of 9 in the Jim Maloney Stakes and seemingly has plenty of improvement left to come.
