Grunt will head to the 2018 Australian Guineas after he recorded an outstanding victory in the 2018 CS Hayes Stakes at Flemington this afternoon.

Manfred Stakes winner Cliff’s Edge took up the running at the 300 metre mark and he looked as though he would be tough to run down, but Grunt saved the best part of his race until last and he found the line in sublime fashion.

The victory of Grunt gave Damien Oliver a race-to-race double – following the win of Rimraam in The Vanity – and he said that he could not be more impressed with the way that the talented colt found the line in the final stages.

“This horse has shown a lot of potential and he is a lovely colt,” Oliver said.

“I really liked the way that he dug deep because Cliff’s Edge put a good kick on him.

“He has had a trip to the country and a trip to Adelaide before Mick put him away with these sort of races in mind and he has done the job well.”

Trainer Mick Price confirmed that the Australian Guineas had always been the long-term goal for Grunt and he is confident that the three-year-old will be even better once he gets out to 1600 metres and beyond.

“He beat the right horse and he won the right way,” Price said.

“He is a big Flemington horse and a big striding horse, but 1400 metres isn’t his ideal distance.

“That is his run to get him into the Australian Guineas and I think that will take a little bit of pressure off him.

“We have done everything to get him into the Australian Guineas.

“I always thought he was going to be a beautiful 2000 metres horse and he probably is.

“I don’t know if he will last until the Australian Derby, but he doesn’t have to.

“The Australian Guineas is going to be a value race for them as colts, but he does have to beat Holy Snow and Mighty Boss.”

Cliff’s Edge lost no irers with another tough effort and he will also go into the Australian Guineas as a leading contender.

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