Darley’s top shelf filly Guelph headlines the nominations for the Group 2 $175,000 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Guelph will be having her first Autumn run in the Light Fingers Stakes. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Thirteen fillies have been nominated for the Light Fingers Stakes with the Australian Turf Club extending the entry deadline until 11AM on Tuesday.
Guelph has won her last four appearances in Group 1 company and trainer Peter Snowden is aiming the Exceed And Excel filly towards the Group 1 $600,000 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill on March 22.
But if the filly is asked to carry too much weight against the older mares, Snowden will reassess and could run Guelph in the Group 2 $175,000 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) for three year olds at Rosehill on the same day.
“It just depends what weight she gets in the Coolmore and the weight of the other horses,” Snowden told TVN.
“Having the Phar Lap Stakes on the same day gives us an option to go there if we want.”
Guelph is having her first start since winning the Group 1 $500,000 Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 16 but impressed all onlookers with a two and three quarter lengths Rosehill barrier trial win.
Leading Sydney jockey Hugh Bowman has picked up the ride on the multiple Group 1 winning filly from stable rider Kerrin McEvoy.
McEvoy had originally planned to ride at Blue Diamond Stakes Day at Caulfield on Saturday but is on the sidelines recovering from a knee injury.
Snowden will saddle up equal favourite Earthquake in the Group 1 $1m Sportingbet Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) with Queensland jockey Damian Browne replacing McEvoy.
Gai Waterhouse has nominated Sweet Idea for the Light Fingers Stakes and the Snitzel filly is having her first run since returning from the Gold Coast where took out the Gold Coast $1m Magic Millions 3yo Guineas (1400m) on January 11.
Former Queensland trained filly Real Surreal now under the care of Team Hawkes at Rosehill is having her first run for over twelve months.
The Real Saga three year old scored a last stride win in the 2013 $2m Jeep Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast and hasn’t been seen on a racetrack since by has won two recent barrier trials at Rosehill and Randwick.
Also resuming is the John O’Shea trained Gyspy Diamond who showed her staying ability in the Spring when fourth to Kirramossa in the Group 1 $1m Crown Oaks (2500m) at Flemington in November.
The Not A Single Doubt filly also showed her class with a win in the Group 2 $220,000 Jeep Don’t Hold Back Fillies Classic (1600m) at Moonee Valley on October 25.
