A classy list of 122 runners have been nominated for the 2015 Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m), to be contested at Flemington Racecourse on March 7^th.

Sweynesse is set to lead Godolphin’s charge in the 2015 Australian Guineas. Photo: Steve Hart

Charging home to secure a maiden victory at the highest level, over the distance during the 2014 Spring Carnival, trainers Peter and Paul Snowden have included Shooting To Win in 2015 Australian Guineas nominations.

Finishing outside the places only once over his seven start career so far, Shooting To Win stamped his claims as one to watch with two impressive victories in minor sprints over the Sydney winter before immediately returning to the paddock.

Beating just one runner home in the Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes (1300m) first-up on August 23^rd, the Northern Meteor colt quickly recovered to place second to Panzer Division in the Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) before running an impressive third in the featured Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) on September 13^th.

Returning to the winner’s circle in the Group 2 Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) on September 27^th, Shooting To Win received an ideal run in transit in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m); displaying a keen turn of foot in the final straight to hit the line a half-length in the clear of Rich Enuff.

While likely to contest the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) in Sydney on the same day as the Australia Guineas, the Snowdens are keeping all options open for Shooting To Win’s Autumn Carnival campaign.

Godolphin has included five runners in nominations for the 2015 Australian Guineas, including both Sweynesse and Gouldian, however have surprisingly not included notable colt Kumaon, who placed third in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) over the distance during the 2014 Autumn Carnival and fourth in the Caulfield Guineas.

Securing four wins and one minor place from his six appearances on course so far, Sweynesse returned to racing in spring for a strong victory over the likes of subsequent Group 1 champions First Seal and Hampton Court in a minor over 1400m before becoming the first runner to deliver the re-branded Godolphin stables a black type victory when taking out the Group 3 Spring Stakes (1600m) on September 17^th.

Continuing his impressive winning form through the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) on September 27^th, the Lonhro colt managed third behind a runaway Hampton Court in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) on October 11^th before an impressive performance for eighth in the major Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) most recently on October 25^th.

Last seen fading for seventh in the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) on November 1^st, Gouldian is yet to finish outside the places in two starts over a mile; running a credible third in the Listed Fernhill Handicap in late autumn before beating Victoria Derby champion Preferment in a Warwick Farm mile race on October 8^th.

Trainer Danny O’Brien saddled standout three-year-old Shamus Award to success in the 2014 edition of the Australian Guineas and had included just two runners; Bondeiger and Zahspeed in nominations for this year’s race.

Running second in the Join The Briseis Club Maiden (1300m) first-up in early September, Bondeiger continued to build in form and class via victory in the Market Square Shopping Maiden (1435m) and a second place finish in the Champagne Pommery 3.y.o (1600m), but was unable to match the late pace when a forgettable seventh in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) on Cox Plate Day.

Having recovered for an agonizingly-close second in the Victoria Derby, Bondeiger has reportedly taken well to his return to work and is on track for a strong showing in the 2015 Australian Guineas.

West Australian racing is also set to be represented well in the 2015 Australian Guineas, with standout three-year-old Disposition and Rommel included in nominations.

Claiming victory in each of his first four race starts, including both the Listed Belgravia Stakes (1200m) and Listed Fairetha Stakes (1400m), Disposition overcame an early check to finish second in the Group 2 W.A. Guineas (1600m) before finishing a head off veteran Moriarty in the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) on December 6^th.

Steadily building to the task over his first three spring starts, Rommel followed up a luckless run for sixth in a minor over 1200m on November 1^st with a strong second in the Fairetha Stakes just one week later; securing a career-best victory to date in the W.A. Guineas on November 22^nd.