While the fillies version sees a small field of eight set to head to the start earlier in the day, a large field of 16 will face the starter in Saturday's $2-million G1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m).
Fourth in the G1 Golden Rose last start, Sydney colt Gold Standard (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}) has the form lines to take the prize. He finished two lengths ahead of Perast (Aus) (Snitzel {Ire}) in the Golden Rose, and that rival headed to Melbourne last start and was too classy for his rivals, winning the Guineas Prelude by a length.
Gold Standard was successful over Sanctioned (Aus) (Teofilo {Ire}) in the G2 Stan Fox S. (1500m) before his Golden Rose fourth, that runner-up went on to finish second and fourth at Group 3 and Group 1 level, respectively, at his next two starts.
The lone filly in the race, the G1 Blue Diamond winner Catchy (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), has always been pencilled in to take on the boys, rather than her own sex, and while she couldn't reel in the first two in the Thousand Guineas Prelude last start, connections have always felt she was their Guineas runner.
The Guineas favourite until his last-start defeat, Tony McEvoy's Royal Symphony (Aus) (Domesday {Aus}) was unbeaten in his first four starts, twice at listed level, and made up some ground last time out in an on-pace biased race. If conditions suit here, the colt could show why he was the Guineas favourite at one stage.
Last-start G2 Stutt S. (1600m) winner Showtime (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) has pedigree on his side, being a full-brother to Group 1 winner Sweet Idea (Aus), and victory in the stallion-making race will ensure the colt a home at stud, with previous winners of the race including Redoute's Choice (Aus), Lonhro (Aus), Starspangledbanner (Aus), Helmet (Aus) and All Too Hard (Aus).
Yet to taste stakes success, but always highly regarded, Godolphin's Kementari (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}) was third behind Perast last start off the back of a fourth to Menari (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) at Group 2 level, and victory here by the well-bred runner could give Darley/Godolphin their third winner in the last seven years.
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