The Melbourne autumn races are drawing close with nominations for three Group 1 features to be run at Flemington closing on Monday and the TAB opening early betting on the races.
Strong nominations were received for the $1 million Australian Guineas (1600m) on February 27, followed by the $1.5 million Australian Cup and the $1.25 million Newmarket Handicap (1200m) on Super Saturday, March 6.
Caulfield Guineas winner Ole Kirk headlines the Australian Guineas list of 122 nominations which also includes North Pacific, VRC Oaks winner Personal and her Lindsay Park-trained stablemates Aysar and Crosshaven along with last year’s Blue Diamond winner Tagaloa.
First run in 1863, the Australian Cup is one of Australia’s oldest races, being first run in 1863.
This year’s weight-for-age contest has attracted 61 nominations, including Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet, Mackinnon Stakes winner Arcadia Queen and her stablemate, last year’s All Star mile winner Regal Power, as well as last year’s Australian Cup winner Fifty Stars.
A total of 56 sprinters have been entered for the Newmarket Handicap, highlighted by last year’s winner Bivouac, the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Hey Doc, along with Chris Waller’s straight-track specialists Nature Strip and September Run.
Victoria Racing Club chief executive Steve Rosich said the club was thrilled with the nominations for the three Group 1 races.
“We expect all three Group 1 races to feature proven horses plus the rising stars of our sport and it will be an interesting battle to see what horses add their name to the honour roll for three of our most prestigious races,” Rosich said.
TAB opened their markets on Tuesday with Ole Kirk the $6 top elect for the Australian Guineas, ahead of Aegon and North Pacific at $8 with Aysar and Young Werther on the next line at $11.
Arcadia Queen and Sir Dragonet share top billing at $6 for the Australian Cup ahead of Caulfield Cup winner Verry Elleegant at $8 and Regal Power and Young Werther at $11.
In the Newmarket Handicap, September Run leads the market at $6 from Bivouc at $8 with Nature Strip, Wild River and Written Beauty all $11 chances.
TAB also is offering pre-nomination markets on other Melbourne autumn Group 1 races including the C F Orr Stakes at Caulfield, the Lightning Stakes at Flemington, and the Oakleigh Plate and Futurity Stakes at Caulfield.
Australian Guineas on February 27 (All In)
$6 Ole Kirk
$8 Aegon
North Pacific
$11 Aysar
Young Werther
$15 Away Game
Brando
Cambourne
Crosshaven
Mo’unga
Personal
Tagaloa
$26 Aim
Amish Boy
Cherry Tortoni
Doubtland
Grandslam
I’m Thunderstruck
Jet Propulsion
Khoekhoe
Prague
Prime Star
The Elanora
Victoria Quay
$51+ Others Quoted
TAB Australian Cup on March 6 (All In)
$6 Arcadia Queen
Sir Dragonet
$8 Verry Elleegant
$11 Regal Power
Young Werther
$15 Colette
Fifty Stars
Finche
Funstar
Humidor
Kolding
Master Of Wine
Warning
$26 Avilius
Chapada
Grandslam
Le Don De Vie
Miami Bound
Mirage Dancer
Neufbosc
Nonconformist
San Huberto
Shared Ambition
Sound
Southern France
Steel Prince
Toffee Tongue
$51+ Others Quoted
Newmarket Handicap on March 6 (All In)
$6 September Run
$8 Bivouac
$11 Nature Strip
Wild Ruler
Written Beauty
$15 Away Game
Haut Brion Her
Savatiano
Swats That
Tagaloa
Zoutori
$26 Anders
Aysar
Bella Vella
Brooklyn Hustle
Celebrity Queen
Dame Giselle
Dirty Work
Doubtland
Elite Street
Flit
Hanseatic
Hey Doc
Lyre
Masked Crusader
Roheryn
Sirius Suspect
$51+ Others Quoted
C.F. Orr Stakes on February 6 (Pre Nominations)
$4.50 Behemoth
$6 Ole Kirk
$8 Glenfiddich
Probabeel
$10 Melody Belle
Mystic Journey
Sir Dragonet
$15 Aegon
Buffalo River
Fierce Impact
Funstar
Mr Quickie
Mugatoo
Tagaloa
$21 Age Of Chivalry
Begood Toya Mother
Cascadian
Dollar For Dollar
Hungry Heart
Vassilator
Verry Elleegant
$26+ Others Quoted
Black Caviar Lightning on February 13 (Pre Nominations)
$3.50 Bivouac
$4.50 Nature Strip
$6 September Run
$8 North Pacific
$11 Libertini
Ole Kirk
$15 Anders
Eduardo
Fabergino
Farnan
Haut Brion Her
Pippie
Swats That
Wild Ruler
Written Beauty
$26 Ancestry
Bella Vella
Dirty Work
Doubtland
Elite Street
Hanseatic
Hey Doc
Standout
$51+ Others Quoted
Oakleigh Plate on February 20 (Pre Nominations)
$6 North Pacific
$8 Ole Kirk
$11 Anders
Farnan
September Run
Swats That
Wild Ruler
Written Beauty
$15 Ancestry
Dirty Work
Doubtland
Eduardo
Elite Street
Hanseatic
Haut Brion Her
Hey Doc
Libertini
Pippie
$26 Bella Nipotina
Bold Star
Brooklyn Hustle
California Zimbol
Deprive
Fabergino
Garner
Ranting
Standout
$51+ Others Quoted
Futurity Stakes on February 20 (Pre Nominations)
$6 Arcadia Queen
Behemoth
Ole Kirk
$8 Probabeel
$10 Glenfiddich
$15 Aegon
Fierce Impact
Funstar
Melody Belle
Mugatoo
Sir Dragonet
The Harrovian
Verry Elleegant
$21 Buffalo River
Hungry Heart
Mr Quickie
Mystic Journey
Tagaloa
$26 Age Of Chivalry
Begood Toya Mother
Cascadian
Dollar For Dollar
$34+ Others Quoted
