A total of 76 horses have nominated for the Group 1 Australian Guineas at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday March 2nd.
Pierro and All Too Hard feature in the nominations, meaning that they will likely have another of their thrilling contests.
All Too Hard (left) and Pierro (right) are set for another clash in the 2013 Australian Guineas. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia.
All Too Hard came off best in their last meeting in the Group 1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley racecourse last spring, placing a close second behind winner Ocean Park.
Pierro managed a gallant third on that occasion, proving he was still a force to be reckoned with even against the best of Australia’s horse racing talent.
The three-year-old has won eight of his ten race starts and has earned more than $3.55 million in prize money.
Along with the $3.5 million Golden Slipper, Pierro also won the Group 1 Inglis Sires’ Produce Stakes and Group 1 Champagne Stakes during last year’s autumn racing carnival.’
Pierro was too good for All Too Hard on their first two meetings, however, a win in the Australian Guineas would level the scoreboard.
All Too Hard has won four of his nine race starts and has accumulated more than $1.5 million in prize earnings.
Red Inca is also included in the Australian Guineas nominations.
The Stratum gelding is on track for a run in the Guineas after his last start win in the $80,000 Seascay Handicap at Flemington.
Trainer Ray Besanko was overjoyed with Red Inca’s last start victory.
“We paid $90,000 for him two years ago at the Magic Millions and that was about $10,000 more than our limit,” Besanko said.
“But it doesn’t matter now, we’ve got it back and we’ve got a good horse to go on with.
“I think he’s got the makings of a really good one.”
Red Inca has won two of his eight career runs and will likely be having his first Group 1 race start in the Australian Guineas.
