The $755,000 Australian Guineas is the highlight at Flemington on Saturday. Here are some fast facts you may find of interest.
Photo by Racing and Sports
• Shamrocker last year became only the third filly in 26 runnings of the Australian Guineas to beat the boys. Triscay (1991) and Miss Finland (2007) were the others. Mosheen is the lone filly engaged this year
• Helmet is looking to join Mahogany (1993/94) as the only Caulfield Guineas winner to return and win the Australian Guineas.
• No Australian Guineas winner has ever started from a double-figure barrier. Fourteen of the past 22 Guineas have had at least 10 runners.
• The two longest-priced winners in Guineas history – Shamrocker ($31) and Rock Classic ($18) – have come in the past two years. Prior to that the Guineas was a good race for punters with 11 favourites scoring from 1986-2009. Kenny's Best Pal ($11, 1993) was the only double-figure odds winner in that time.
• Mick Price will join Colin Hayes and Lee Freedman (three wins) as the most successful Guineas trainers is he wins with either Instinction or Proliferate. Price's two wins came with Light Fantastic (2008) and Heart Of Dreams (2009).
• Damien Oliver (rides Sabrage this year), Noel Callow (Highly Recommended) and Craig Newitt (Instinction) are among the eight jockeys who share the Guineas record of two wins in the race.
