Hvasstan to line up in Rosehill Guineas

Victorian three year old Hvasstan’s Australian Derby campaign gets into full swing when he lines up in the Group 1 $500,000 M. J. Bale Rosehill Guineas (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

hvasstan

Hvasstan on his way to the Australian Derby after Rosehill Guineas run. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Moe trainer Peter Gelagotis is expecting Hvasstan to gain the attention of Sydney racegoers when he runs on Saturday and convince them that the Fastnet Rock colt is as good as the Gelagotis team thinks he is.

“It’s crazy, he was up there with Fiveandahalfstar and Super Cool in the spring and ahead of It’s A Dundeel,”  Gelagotis said.

“His three runs this time in have been super and he still hasn’t got to his right distance yet.”

“The Rosehill Guineas looks perfect for him.”

“He showed in the spring he was up to Derby class, so we’ll have that in mind, but only if he shows us that’s where he should go.”

Hvasstan mixed it with the best in the Spring and after winning the Group 3 $150,000 Starlight Children’s Foundation Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on October 20 finished fourth to Fiveandahalfstar and Super Cool in the Group 1 $1.5m AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on November 3.

The Mark Kavanagh trained Super Cool and Anthony Cummings’ Fiveandahalfstar have set the benchmark for the three year olds in the Autumn with the pair finishing first and second in the Group 2 $220,000 BMW Caulfield Autumn Classic (1800m) at Caulfield on February 23 and the Group 1 $1m Darley Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 9.

Hvasstan was having his third run back from a spell when he took out the Group 2 $220,000 Sportingbet Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) at Moonee Valley on March 15 and Gelagotis can’t wait until the three year old gets up to a suitable distance.

“His Derby run in the spring was sensational and his form since has been the same,” Gelagotis said.

“Anyone who thinks it isn’t is wrong.”

Nominations for the Rosehill Guineas have been extended until 11am Tuesday after the Australian Turf Club only received ten entries for the Group 1 feature for the three year olds.

Cummings has nominated Fiveandahalfstar and will decide later in the week if he will run after having a tough run in the Group 1 $400,000 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Group 1 Randwick Guineas winner It’s A Dundeel will be hard to beat again and the Mick Kent trained Philippi is among the nominations after finishing second to Hvasstan in the Alister Clark.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.