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Tagaloa s timing could not have been better in the C.S. Hayes Stakes. That win was his first since snaring last year s Blue Diamond and rocketed him towards the head of markets for Saturday s $1 million Group 1 at Flemington.
But it wasn t just hitting top form that augurs well for his chances this weekend. The Hayes Stakes has become clearly the premier Guineas guide, with five of the past six Guineas winners rounding out their preparations in the 1400-metre G3 run a fortnight earlier, including four who completed the double.
The one beaten in the lead-up was Palentino, who was first past the post but relegated to second on protest.
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Poland may not be Phar Lap yet - or most likely ever - but trainer Michael Moroney believes his distant relation to the equine legend has improved sufficiently to challenge for Group 1 honours at Flemington on Saturday.
Moroney intends to accept with Poland for the $1 million G1 Kennedy Australian Guineas (1600m). Poland s ninth dam, Fortune s Wheel, was the older sister of Phar Lap and was the first foal of Phar Lap s dam Entreaty.
Phar Lap won 13 races as a three-year-old and Poland will contest the Australian Guineas after winning his second race for the season, a first-up victory in the $200,000 G2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 6 by a length.
A fresh Craig Williams will resume from a rare suspension at Saturday’s Australian Guineas meeting at Flemington.
Williams missed last Saturday’s Blue Diamond Stakes meeting after picking up a careless riding suspension at Flemington on Lightning Stakes day.
Williams said it was only his second suspension in the last 14 months. He took the chance to spend a rare weekend with his wife and four children at his aunt’s property.
“Unfortunately, the timing was bad with three Group One races last week but that’s the way it was,” Williams said. “I was able to spend some quality time with my family, which is unheard of on a Saturday, and hopefully it stays that way.