Rosehill Guineas – 2021

Track: Soft-Heavy Weather: Showers

Fifteen three year-olds have accepted for the $600,000 Group 1 Rosehill Guineas.  Fourteen of them are colts/geldings – Montefilia is the only filly.  The Randwick Guineas is the main lead up – seven had their last start in that race.  The early favourite in the betting is the Annabel Neasham trained Mo’unga.  He ran third in the Australian Guineas and then hit the line strongly after a checkered passage in the Randwick Guineas at his last start.  The second favourite is Grandslam.  He was dominant winning the Alister Clark at Moonee Valley on March 13.

Lion’s Roar sailed down the outside to win the Randwick Guineas and should still have some improvement to come third up.  Montefilia is proven in the wet and won her only start at 2000m.  Sky Lab is airborne this preparation and is partnered by leading rider James McDonald.  Wheelhouse fought on well after being trapped wide in the Randwick Guineas – he is one of three Chris Waller trained horses in the race.  Milford ran second in the New Zealand Derby last start.  Lunar Fox won the Australian Guineas at huge odds, then backed up that performance with a fourth in the All Star Mile while Khoekhoe will have no issues with a wet track.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Lions Roar

Stormed down the outside to win the Randwick Guineas last start.  Has shown he can handle rain affected ground and looks set to peak third up.

2. Lunar Fox

Strong performances at his last two starts.   He won the Australian Guineas at a huge price on February 27, then stuck on well to run fourth in testing conditions in the All Star Mile.  In the mix.

3. Mo’unga

Hit the line well first up in the Australian Guineas and then arguably should of won the Randwick Guineas last start.  He is a talented colt and is drawn to get every chance this time around.

4. Milford

This Kiwi is having his first Australian Start.  He has only won 1 of his 7 starts but did finish second in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby last time.  Likely to enjoy these conditions.

5. Grandslam

Was out the back and not doing much first and second up, then was ridden further forward last time and bolted in at Moonee Valley.  The track pattern was in his favour but he did win by over 6 lengths!

6. Wheelhouse

Finished fourth in the Randwick Guineas after sitting 3 wide without cover.  That was a good effort and he gets Hugh Bowman on here.

7. The Elanora

The rise in distance suits but he has been safely held at his last two.

8. Khoekhoe

Out and out stayer who was okay first up in the Autumn Classic at Caulfield.  Last preparation he ran a good second in testing conditions in the Moonee Valley Vase.

9. Bucharest

Started long odds last time and was safely held.  Looks unlikely here.

10. Explosive Jack

Won the Tasmania Derby at the start of February.  He is fit and racing well.

11. Sky Lab

Won two in a row to start this preparation and then was good against the older horses last time.  1 from 1 on heavy going and the booking of James McDonald are positives.  Each way claims.

12. Here To Shock

Looked to have something to offer in the Randwick Guineas but never got a crack at them.  Safely held in the Australian Guineas prior to that.

13. The Cullinan

Queenslander who has won 2 of his 9 starts.  Unproven in the wet and looks out classed here.

14. Kobestar

Broke his maiden last start at start number 10.  Unlikely.

15. Montefilia

Quality filly who won the Group 1 Flight Stakes in the spring.  She finished sixth in the Surround Stakes first up, won her only start at 2000m and is proven in these conditions.  Each way chance.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
3. Mo’unga	3. Mo’unga
1. Lion’s Roar	11. Sky Lab
15. Montefilia	5. Grandslam
6. Wheelhouse	8. Khoekhoe

Group 1 Golden Slipper 2021 (Rosehill 1200m)

Group 1 George Ryder Stakes 2021 (Rosehill 1200m)

Group 1 Ranvet Stakes 2021 (Rosehill 1200m)

Group 1 The Galaxy 2021 (Rosehill 1200m)