Two time Australian Guineas winner Craig Newitt isn’t dismissing the chances of longshot Teronado in the Group 1 $500,000 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington today.
Craig Neweit isn't dismissing the chances of Teronado in the Australian Guineas. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Newitt has stuck with the Queensland trained Teronado who is rated a $16 chance with Ladbrokes.com.au and is giving him a good chance if he can repeat his fast finishing effort two weeks ago when two and three quarter lengths fifth to Hucklebuck in the Group 3 $150,000 C S Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington.
Newitt is banking on a hot pace to give the Bruce Hill trained three year old a chance to finish over the top of the leaders and a replications of his sectional times in the C S Hayes stakes could see him figure in the prizemoney.
The top Melbourne jockey pointed out that Teronado ran the fastest sectionals over the final 600m (33.57 seconds), 400m (22.24 sec) and 200m (11.38 sec).
“I just need some tempo,” Newitt told Racing Network.
“If we get a genuine run race he will be the one hitting the line really hard. He ran the quickest last 600 (metres) in the CS Hayes, he just took forever to wind up.
“But his last furlong was really, really good.”
Teronado is having his first try at 1600m but indicated with his strong finish in the C S Hayes Stakes that the extra 200m will suit him.
The Testa Rossa gelding also showed in the Spring his ability to run on when he came from the tail of the field to finish fifth to Aussie Love Sport in the Group 3 $125,000 Ming Dynasty Quality Handicap (1400m) at Randwick in September.
Teronado will be lining up again against the first four that beat him home in the C S Hayes Stakes with the winner Hucklebuck the ruling favourite for the Australian Guineas at $3.80, Prince Harada (2nd) at $15, The Quarterback (3rd) at $12 and Criterion (4th) at $14.
The Bart And James Cummings trained Eurozone is the second favourite at $4.20 on the basis of him finishing a nose second to Moment Of Change in the Group 1 $400,000 Sportingbet C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 8 with third placegetter Shamus Award marked at $5.
Group 2 Autumn Stakes winner Thunder Fantasy is also in the mix at $13.
