Victory in the G1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) has fallen to New Zealand-bred runners for seven of the past eight years, and Saturday's edition sees last-start G1 New Zealand Derby winner Gingernuts (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) looking to continue the form.
The lone runner in the 12-strong field carrying the NZ suffix, Te Akau Racing's Gingernuts has surprisingly never seen a heavy track, but with two wins and a second on soft going, the race-fit gelding ticks all the boxes.
A Group 1 winner as a 2-year-old over 1600 metres as well as the G1 VRC Derby (2500m) in the spring, the James Cummings-trained Prized Icon (Aus) (More Than Ready) recorded an outstanding second placing last start in the G1 Australian Guineas at Flemington and looks ready for the 2000 metres third-up from a spell.
Expected to run well in the G1 Randwick Guineas, but highlighted as one to watch as he stepped up to the 2000 metres, the win of Inference (Aus) (So You Think {NZ}) in the Guineas highlighted his sheer class, with Hawkes Racing and jockey Tommy Berry effusive in their praise for the colt and his ability.
Knowing what it takes to win the G1 Australian Derby, having won 12 months prior with Tavago (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young look to have another exciting candidate on their hands, and there is no reason that Anaheim (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) can't be competitive in the Guineas en-route to the Derby.
While yet to meet the class of a Group 1 race, Chris Waller's lightly raced colt Sizzling Bullet (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) has won three of his five starts including impressing over 2000 metres last time out. Out of Hollow Bullet (Aus) (Tayasu Tsuyoshi Jpn), a Group 1 winner at 2000 metres and 2500 metres, Sizzling Bullet's pedigree suggest he is one to watch and he could prove a real surprise packet in the race.
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