James Cummings’ Victoria Derby winner Prized Icon was on Monday one of a bumper crop of three-year-olds nominated for the Australian Guineas 2016 to run on March 4.
Prized Icon is one of the key 2017 Australian Guineas nominations this autumn. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
Early entries for a host of Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival features closed yesterday including those for the $750,000 Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington Racecourse.
The mile set weights event attracted a total of 120 nominations, up from 110 last season.
One of the key nominees is More Than Ready colt Prized Icon who was last seen winning the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
A winner of two of his three starts over 1600m, Prized Icon also won the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) over the distance last April and finished third to Yankee Rose in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick that October.
Cummings’ late great father Bart won the Australian Guineas in 2010 with Rock Classic, but he will vie for his first win in the feature this year and has a total of seven nominations.
2017 Australian Guineas Nominations – Key Horses
- Prized Icon (James Cummings)
- Divine Prophet (Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes)
- Astern (John O’Shea)
- Omei Sword (Chris Waller)
- I Am A Star (Shane Nichols)
Two other headline entries and Group 1 winners are the John O’Shea-trained Astern for the Godolphin stable and Hawkes Racings’ Divine Prophet.
Medaglia D’Oro colt Astern has won five of his eight career starts to date including most notably the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) last September.
His last start saw him run down the Flemington straight on Derby Day where he finished a brave second to Flying Artie in his first Melbourne assignment.
O’Shea has a total of 10 Australian Guineas nominations this autumn with other key hopes including Lonhro colt Impending who ran third in the Golden Rose and fourth in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) beaten under two lengths in the latter, and Sandown Guineas winner Morton’s Fork.
Divine Prophet, fourth in the Golden Rose Stakes to Astern and third in the Champagne Stakes to Prized Icon, was last seen posting his own Group 1 success in the Caulfield Guineas last October.
2017 Australian Guineas Nominations – Key Trainers
- David & Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig (18)
- John O’Shea (10)
- Chris Waller (9)
Last year’s Australian Guineas winner was the Darren Weir-trained Palentino (2016) and this season Weir is back with three nominees led by his class High Chaparral filly Jennifer Lynn.
To date the filly has won four of her six career starts including the Listed Lexus Hybrid Stakes (1400m) on Melbourne Cup Day before her last start third in the Sandown Guineas back in November.
Two fillies have beaten home the boys in the Australian Guineas results of the past six years with Shamrocker (2011) and Mosheen (2012) going back-to-back.
There are plenty of star fillies nominated for the 2017 Australian Guineas this year including the Chris Waller-trained trio of Foxplay, Sezanne and Omei Sword.
Waller has a total of nine entries as Sydney’s premier horseman shoots for his maiden win in the Group 1.
Foxwedge filly Foxplay enjoyed back-to-back Group 2 wins completing the Furious Stakes – Tea Rose Stakes double at Randwick last September before her fourth to Global Glamour in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield in the spring.
Sezanne also finished behind Global Glamour for Waller in elite level class last campaign when runner-up in the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick, the daughter of More Than Ready last seen crossing second in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic (1600m) on Cox Plate Day.
Waller’s top early autumn contender though is Omei Sword, the High Chaparral filly last seen running second in the Golden Rose Stakes.
Omei Sword shapes-up as one of the top Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival horses to watch and also targets Sydney runs in races including the Coolmore Classic and Doncaster Mile.
Other notable fillies in the mix include the Neville Parnham-trained WA Guineas runner-up Ellicazoom from Perth, Lindsay Park’s progressive daughter of Star Witness Fuhryk, her stablemate Harlow Gold and the Shane Nichols-trained I Am A Star.
Harlow Gold was last seen running second to Lasqueti Spirit in the Group 1 Crown Oaks (2500m) on November 3, while I Am A Star improved on a Thousand Guineas second and MV Fillies Classic third to win the Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m) on Derby Day over the older mares.
Check out the full Australian Guineas 2017 nominations below, first acceptances closing on February 21, with outright betting to open shortly at Ladbrokes.com.au.
2017 Australian Guineas Nominations
Flemington Racecourse – 04/04/2017
| # | Form (Last 10) | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13x1135x | ACATOUR | C | 3 | Peter & Paul Snowden |
| 2 | 17x | AEROPLANE | G | 3 | Jason Warren |
| 3 | 323211x | ANAHEIM | C | 3 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young |
| 4 | 1179x | ARTIE DEE TWO | C | 3 | Darren Weir |
| 5 | x101x1122x | ASTERN | C | 3 | John O’Shea |
| 6 | 6×322713 | ASTLEY | C | 3 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 7 | 2x710210x | ATTENTION | C | 3 | Peter & Paul Snowden |
| 8 | 1x | AUSTRALIANA | G | 3 | Gai Waterhouse |
| 9 | 417×42 | BAFFERT | G | 3 | Mick Price |
| 10 | 34×214 | BARJEEL | G | 3 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 11 | – | BASTILLE | C | 3 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 12 | 13x512607x | BELLA SORELLASTRA | F | 3 | Peter Morgan |
| 13 | 2x1113x | BEZEL | C | 3 | John O’Shea |
| 14 | 63x | BIG JOHN CANNON | C | 3 | Jim Conlan |
| 15 | – | BOMBARDIER | G | 3 | James Cummings |
| 16 | 1 | BONS AWAY | C | 3 | Ciaron Maher |
| 17 | 21×1 | BRYNEICH | C | 3 | John O’Shea |
| 18 | 2131x | CEYLON (NZ) | F | 3 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young |
| 19 | 30167×21 | CLIFF HANGER | G | 3 | Lee & Anthony Freedman |
| 20 | 154100x | COBBMORE | G | 3 | Tony McEvoy |
| 21 | 1 | COMIC SET | G | 3 | Michael Kent |
| 22 | 121x | COMIN’ THROUGH | C | 3 | Chris Waller |
| 23 | 6x12037x | DERRYN | C | 3 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 24 | 5x13x1421x | DIVINE PROPHET | C | 3 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes |
| 25 | 9x | DODGE CITY | G | 3 | Michael Moroney |
| 26 | 214x | DORNOCH (NZ) | G | 3 | Michael Moroney |
| 27 | 22 | DORTMUND | C | 3 | Gai Waterhouse |
| 28 | 2242x | DRACHENFELS | G | 3 | John O’Shea |
| 29 | 54x1122x | ELLICAZOOM | F | 3 | Neville Parnham |
| 30 | 16x | ENIGMAN | C | 3 | Ciaron Maher |
| 31 | x534x39485 | FARAWAY TOWN | F | 3 | Matthew Smith |
| 32 | 4×14 | FARSON | G | 3 | Gai Waterhouse |
| 33 | 211×23 | FIRST APPROVAL | C | 3 | Peter & Paul Snowden |
| 34 | 221x | FOX HALL | C | 3 | Tony McEvoy |
| 35 | 4x212x114x | FOXPLAY | F | 3 | Chris Waller |
| 36 | 5x111x | FUHRYK | F | 3 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 37 | 24 | GALA MOSHEA | F | 3 | Brett Conlon |
| 38 | 21 | GAUGUIN (NZ) | G | 3 | James Cummings |
| 39 | – | GOETHE | G | 3 | Tricia Cox |
| 40 | 19x | GUNN ISLAND | C | 3 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 41 | 21×2411011 | HALL OF FAME (NZ) | C | 3 | Jamie Richards |
| 42 | 1x3670x | HARDHAM | C | 3 | David Brideoake |
| 43 | 3x611562x | HARLOW GOLD (NZ) | F | 3 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 44 | 111x1323x2 | HEROIC VALOUR | C | 3 | Jamie Richards |
| 45 | 117x | HE’S THE BOSS | G | 3 | Matt Laurie |
| 46 | 240x11134x | HEY DOC | G | 3 | Tony McEvoy |
| 47 | 11x154231x | I AM A STAR (NZ) | F | 3 | Shane Nichols |
| 48 | 6x | I THOUGHT SO | C | 3 | David Pfieffer |
| 49 | 13x3314x | IMPENDING | C | 3 | John O’Shea |
| 50 | 21x11433x | INFERENCE | C | 3 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes |
| 51 | 6162x | INSIDE AGENT (NZ) | C | 3 | Nigel Blackiston |
| 52 | 4x21x00x | INSPIRED ESTELLE | F | 3 | Mick Price |
| 53 | 1×1 | INTO ORBIT | C | 3 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes |
| 54 | 1x41113x | JENNIFER LYNN | F | 3 | Darren Weir |
| 55 | 21330x | KACHING | C | 3 | Ciaron Maher |
| 56 | 51429x | LAND OF PLENTY | C | 3 | Grahame Begg |
| 57 | 1 | LAST REQUEST | G | 3 | Darren Weir |
| 58 | 2 | LAUNCH CODE | C | 3 | James Cummings |
| 59 | 72x110x | LEGLESS VEUVE (NZ) | F | 3 | Stuart Webb |
| 60 | 72464x23x | LIONHEARTED | C | 3 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 61 | 31×2 | MALAISE | C | 3 | John O’Shea |
| 62 | 123x | MAN FROM UNCLE | G | 3 | Anthony Cummings |
| 63 | 210x5856x5 | MANOLO BLAHNIQ (NZ) | C | 3 | Tony Noonan |
| 64 | – | MHOEBE (NZ) | F | 3 | Johno Benner |
| 65 | 23 | METAMORPHIC | C | 3 | Chris Waller |
| 66 | 1746x | MILWAUKEE | G | 3 | Michael Moroney |
| 67 | 9x1x66735x | MISSROCK | F | 3 | Robbie Laing |
| 68 | x221x1521x | MORTON’S FORK | C | 3 | John O’Shea |
| 69 | 1722×2413 | MR SNEAKY | G | 3 | Lee & Anthony Freedman |
| 70 | 31x | NEPEAN | C | 3 | James Cummings |
| 71 | 830x60497x | NIKITAS | C | 3 | Chris Waller |
| 72 | 96 | NOBLE TRUTH | C | 3 | Anthony Cummings |
| 73 | 0x100x | NORTHERN LION | G | 3 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 74 | 1x01x | NURSE KITCHEN (NZ) | F | 3 | David Brideoake |
| 75 | 53×2163211 | OAK DOOR | C | 3 | Robert Smerdon |
| 76 | 129x12x | OMEI SWORD | F | 3 | Chris Waller |
| 77 | 0124×5 | ON THE SPOT | C | 3 | Clarry Conners |
| 78 | 21x9x | OREGON’S DAY | F | 3 | Mick Price |
| 79 | 2 | POSITIVELY HIGH | C | 3 | Mick Price |
| 80 | 9x221x | POTENT FORCE | G | 3 | James Cummings |
| 81 | 11x463351x | PRIZED ICON | C | 3 | James Cummings |
| 82 | 513×3 | REACH FOR HEAVEN (NZ) | G | 3 | Kris Lees |
| 83 | 2 | RED IS THE ROSE | F | 3 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 84 | 5x | RED RIGHT HAND | G | 3 | Grahame Begg |
| 85 | 137×25 | REDOUBLE | C | 3 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes |
| 86 | – | RENE (NZ) | C | 3 | Andrew R Campbell |
| 87 | 165x | RIBBON OF CHOICE | G | 3 | Brian Gentle |
| 88 | 10x | ROCK AND SWING | C | 3 | James Cummings |
| 89 | 112x | RUTHVEN | C | 3 | Ciaron Maher |
| 90 | 345x | SAN VINCENZO | G | 3 | Michael Moroney |
| 91 | 25x | SAXOPHONE | G | 3 | John O’Shea |
| 92 | 16x454282x | SEABURGE | C | 3 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 93 | 21x556520x | SEBRING DREAM | F | 3 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 94 | 1 | SERACENA | F | 3 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 95 | 224x11422x | SEZANNE | F | 3 | Chris Waller |
| 96 | 5x | SHACKLETON | C | 3 | Gai Waterhouse |
| 97 | 11270x | SILVERA | C | 3 | Tony McEvoy |
| 98 | 6x1141x | SNITZSON | C | 3 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 99 | 8421x | SO BELLE | F | 3 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 100 | 26x165344x | SO SI BON | C | 3 | Robbie Laing |
| 101 | 8x6337157x | STRYKING MISS | F | 3 | Patrick Caboche |
| 102 | 6×3 | TACITURN | G | 3 | John O’Shea |
| 103 | 3x271x54x | TAJ MAHAL | C | 3 | Peter & Paul Snowden |
| 104 | 30x | TARA ITI (NZ) | G | 3 | Michael Moroney |
| 105 | 23×2 | THE LUNCH | C | 3 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 106 | 5x2210x | THEANSWERMYFRIEND | G | 3 | Robert Smerdon |
| 107 | 33x02178x | THEODOLITE | G | 3 | Anthony Chibnall |
| 108 | 1121306x | THRONUM | C | 3 | Gai Waterhouse |
| 109 | 11x3307x | THROSSELL | G | 3 | Ciaron Maher |
| 110 | 9311x997x | TRENCHANT | C | 3 | John O’Shea |
| 111 | 515465640x | TUMULTUOUS | G | 3 | Chris Waller |
| 112 | 634x11144x | VELADERO | C | 3 | Chris Waller |
| 113 | 321307x | WATERLOO SUNSET | F | 3 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 114 | 12253430x | WAZZENME | C | 3 | Stuart Webb |
| 115 | 73x375150x | WINE BUSH | G | 3 | Chris Waller |
| 116 | 421x | YASEY SUN | G | 3 | John Pascoe |
| 117 | 5227x | YOU WANT | G | 3 | Ciaron Maher |
| 118 | 7×2414 | YULONG SHENG LONG | C | 3 | Mick Price |
| 119 | 1 | YULONG SHENGDAO | C | 3 | Mick Price |
| 120 | 9111140x | ZUNBAQA | F | 3 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
