News

Guineas win a stud boost for colts

5th Mar 2009

AAP Racing - Robert Windmill - Thursday, 5 March 2009

Victory in the Australian Guineas could set up the stud career for one of the five colts contesting the Group One event at Flemington on Saturday.

Von Costa De Hero, Fravashi, Dr Doute's, Nicconi and Lucky Thunder all have the chance to join a band of past winners who have gone on to make their name in the stallion barn.

The honour roll features champion sires Zabeel (pictured), who won the Guineas in 1990, and Flying Spur who was successful in 1996.

Others include Pins, Baryshnikov, Dash For Cash, Delago Brom, Reset, Al Maher, Military Plume, King's High and Kenny's Best Pal.

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy said Fravashi was an emerging star ready for Group One success.

He said his last-start win in the Autumn Stakes was his moment of truth and that there was improvement still to come.

"He is a good chance again," McEvoy said.

"He was there to be shot at last start had he done something wrong and got beaten again but he came through."

McEvoy returned to a rowdy reception when Fravashi ran into trouble and finished fourth to Nicconi in the Listed Manfred Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 8 but all was forgotten when they again started favourite in the Autumn Stakes and held off Nicconi in a photo-finish.

Two of the last three Autumn Stakes winners, Apache Cat (2006) and Light Fantastic (2008), have gone on to win the Guineas.

Miss Finland won the Australian Guineas in 2007 when it was run at Caulfield.

The Autumn Stakes win underlined McEvoy's opinion of Fravashi who goes into the Guineas as the $3 favourite ahead of Show A Heart gelding Heart Of Dreams ($4.60), who finished third in the Autumn Stakes, and Nicconi ($6.50).

"He showed good fight last start and the mile (1600m) at Flemington is going to suit him," McEvoy said.

"He is still learning and getting better which bodes well for Saturday's race."