WA Guineas – 2023

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There is a field of 14 runners for the $500,000 WA Guineas with 8 geldings, 4 colts and 2 fillies. Seven runners had their last start in the Listed Fairetha Stakes over 1400m at Ascot on 11th November, and two in a 1500m Maiden at Ascot on 7th November, while the rest came via different races. Three runners are sired by Playing God. Trainers Neville Parnham, Darren McAuliffe and Luke Fernie all have 2 runners.

The two fillies head up the betting. The early favourite is Super Smink who was runner-up in the Listed Burgess Queen Stakes over 1400m at Ascot on 7th November and has 4 wins and 3 places from 7 starts. Second favourite is Keshi Boom who has won all 4 of her starts, including the Burgess Queen. Third favourite is Zipaway who finished 4th in the Fairetha Stakes after jumping awkwardly and coming from last with the best closing splits. Investmentstrategy won the Fairetha after being near the lead all the way on a leaderish day. The other runners are currently $14 or longer.

1. A Lot Of Good Men (9)

This colt wound up steadily from worse than midfield to finish 3rd in the Listed Fairetha Stakes over 1400m at Ascot on 11th November. He had decent closing splits despite having to weave through traffic. One of the main chances.

2. Investmentstrategy (1)

One of 2 runners trained by Neville Parnham (the other is Zipaway) and one of 3 runners sired by Playing God (the others are Rope Them In and Zipaway). He won the Fairetha after being near the lead all the way on a leaderish day. Beautifully drawn and is a strong chance again.

3. Rope Them In (12)

Started favouorite in the Fairetha, where he finished runner-up. Gets the winkers back on. Don’t dismiss.

4. Zipaway (4)

Finished 4th in the Fairetha Stakes after jumping awkwardly and coming from last with the best closing splits. Up in distance and looks a real chance.

5. Blue Lagoon (6)

Didn’t have much luck when 7th in the Fairetha. His 2 wins were over 1200m at Belmont and 1300m at Northam, so unsure how he will go over the mile.

6. Cosmic Crusader (2)

Having his first run at black-type level, but did win over 1600m at Ascot 3 starts back. Gets blinkers back on and could surprise.

7. Autumn Rebel (10)

One of 2 runners for Darren McAuliffe (the other is Masamune). Coming off a win in a 1500m Maiden at Ascot on 7th November with very good closing splits. This is much harder but he could run a place.

8. Masamune (11)

Hasn’t been running up to expectations. Needs to lift.

9. Weeraechoux (13)

Finished strongly for 5th in the Fairetha but he has drawn very wide and this is tougher.

10. Five Down (7)

Has won one of his 7 starts. This looks too tough.

11. Odin Omen (5)

Hasn’t managed to place in 4 starts at Ascot. Looking to others.

12. Big Player (14)

Still a maiden after 9 starts. Drawn the outside barrier. Not here.

13. Super Smink (3)

Super filly whose 4 wins include the Group 2 Karrakatta Plate over 1200m and the Group 3 WA Sires’ Produce Stakes over 1400m. Last start she was runner-up in the Listed Burgess Queen Stakes over 1400m at Ascot on 7th November behind Keshi Boom. Should fight out the finish.

14. Keshi Boom (8)

She won the Burgess Queen Stakes to give her 3 wins from 3 races and then was a 1.5 length winner over 1600m at Ascot on 18th November to remain undefeated with 4 from 4. Very classy and will be hard to beat.

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

Jo Jackson’s Tips
14 Keshi Boom
13 Super Smink
1 A Lot Of Good Men
4 Zipaway

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	4 Zipaway
2nd	1 A Lot Of Good Men	0.38 length
3rd	13 Super Smink	0.6 length
4th	5 Blue Lagoon	2.1 lengths

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings: 14. Keshi Boom.