As the raging-hot favourite ahead of Saturday's $2-million Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m), Bjorn Baker's Winning Rupert (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus}) looks to have the race at his mercy if winning form is anything to go by.
Uneaten in his five starts to date, including three at black-type level, Winning Rupert has been untroubled this campaign, winning his three races with ease; the narrowest margin of those wins being a facile three-length victory.
With Jeff Lloyd set to partner the son of Woodside Park's Written Tycoon, it could be an amazing 40 minutes for the ex-South African jockey, who also rides leading Magic Millions 2YO Classic chance Houtzen (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}).
Many have queried the form of Winning Rupert's beaten brigade, but all the colt can do is win, and while he is yet to really be placed under any pressure, that should come on Saturday where he will take on the largest field he has contested.
One of a handful of possible leaders in the race, Lloyd will need to decide early on if he pushes forward and controls the race, or takes a sit and risks getting stuck behind tiring horses when he needs to commence his run.
Baker, who is yet to have a winner of the 3YO race, but has been triumphant in the 2YO Classic with Unencumbered (Aus) (Testa Rossa {Aus}), whose first crop yearlings are selling across the road at the Magic Millions sale complex, has always held his colt in high regard but has been taken aback with his most recent efforts.
“He's always shown a lot of ability but I've been a bit surprised with the way he has done it this time in,” Baker said. “The fact that he has shown so much speed, he has got the front easy and blitzed away is a surprise.”
A winner of the G1 Flight S. and G1 Thousand Guineas at her last two starts before a spell, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Global Glamour (Aus) (Star Witness {Aus}) faces a mammoth task from a wide barrier and, after a somewhat unlucky performance when resuming on Dec. 31, the filly will need to be 110% ready if she is to topple the favourite. Both Winning Rupert and Global Glamour are the only two runners under double-figure odds in the betting, with the next best being the Kurt Goldman-trained Eckstein (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}), a winner of her last four starts including last Saturday over the older horses at the Gold Coast.
Second to Winning Rupert at Group 3 level last time out, the Eagle Farm-trained River Racer (Aus) (Hidden Dragon {Aus}) has finished in the top three at eight of her 10 starts, and with a weight drop from her most recent performance, could play a part in the finish from a good barrier.
Of the fellow local runners, Tony Gollan's Tiyatrolani (Aus) (Captain Sonador {Aus}) has finished fourth at her last two starts behind leading chances Eckstein and Winning Rupert, while Billy The Kid (Aus) (Savabeel {Aus}), trained by John and Chris Meagher, could be a good rough chance if the second emergency gains a start.
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