El Roca is currently a clear favourite in 2014 Randwick Guineas betting markets and trainer Trent Busuttinbelieves that the talented colt is spot on heading into the Group 1 event at Royal Randwick this weekend.
El Roca is chasing his maiden win at Group 1 level in the 2014 Randwick Guineas this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart
El Roca started his 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival campaign with an impressive win in the Listed Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on February 15, but his Randwick Guineas preparation was thrown into disarray when he was withdrawn from the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) by Racing New South Wales stewards.
Busuttin was forced to run El Roca against older horses in the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) at Warwick Farm on March 8 and the Fastnet Rock colt was only narrowly denied his second straight victory by the in-form Terravista.
The rising New Zealand trainer told TVN that El Roca took plenty of benefit out of his Liverpool City Cup run and is happy with the condition of the three-year-old heading into the Randwick Guineas this weekend.
“Obviously what happened the week before made us go to the Liverpool City Cup and it would have been great to win, but he did everything but,” Busuttin said.
“He came through it good and we will roll on Saturday.
“The back-up won’t worry him at all; he has tightened up good and looks better for the run.
“He had a real good blow after the race and the three weeks between runs was probably just a week too much.
“He is spot-on now and we will just tick him over and head to Saturday.”
Busuttin included High Tec in the nominations for the Royal Randwick Guineas, but elected not to accept with the son of High Chaparral.
High Tec made his Australian racing debut with a comfortable two lengths win at Wyong on March 6 and is on track to contest the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Royal Randwick on April 12.
“I threw it in on the off chance that the weather might be really bad, but he will wait a week and go to the Phar Lap Stakes,” Busuttin said.
“The Derby might roll around a bit soon for him, but he has got the first step out of the way and a race like the Rosehill Guineas or Tulloch Stakes heading into the Derby. “
El Roca is available at Randwick Guineas odds of $4.20, while High Tec is currently available at a quote of $15 in Australian Derby betting markets.
