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The feature 3yo race in the Spring in NZ is the New Zealand 2000 Guineas run at Riccarton on Saturday.
Some top youngsters have taken it out like Sacred Falls who would win big races in Australia. Can the 2019 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on Saturday provide form for across the Tasman?
2019 NEW ZEALAND 2000 GUINEAS - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
The New Zealand 2000 Guineas is a Group 1 race run under Set Weights conditions for three year olds at Riccarton Park race course conducted by the Canterbury Jockey Club.
The New Zealand 2000 Guineas is run over 1600m. It was first run in 1973 and won by Furys Order ridden by Brent Thomson.
The New Zealand 2000 Guineas is the feature New Zealand 3yo race of the Spring.
Over the traditional mile, it is run during the New Zealand Cup week festival of racing and trotting in November. It is a much stronger race historically than the fillies version.
The Derby and Oaks were run at Riccarton but when they were moved to Ellerslie and Trentham, Riccarton was decided as a place to contest Guineas races along the same lines as their UK equivalents. This was especially more relevant with the Classics now run much later.
1975 winner Balmerino was also a Derby winner but campaigned in the Northern Hemisphere and was placed in multiple G1 features including a Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Surfers Paradise won in 1990 and then won the Cox Plate 12 months later.
The grand stayer Veandercross took it out in 1991 and would be brilliant as an Autumn 3yo and then could have won bigger races in 1992 placing in both Spring Melbourne staying Cups.
Darci Brahma won the G1 TJ Smith at Eagle Farm as a 2yo then five months on won the Guineas. Jimmy Choux and Turn Me Loose also won G1 features in Australia.
The best most recent winner was Sacred Falls who would head to Chris Waller and become a dual Doncaster Mile winner.
The New Zealand 2000 Guineas is worth NZ$500,000 in 2019.
Notable winners of the New Zealand 2000 Guineas include Madison County (2018), Xtravagant (2015), Turn Me Loose (2014), Sacred Falls (2012), Jimmy Choux (2010), Katie Lee (2009), Darci Brahma (2005), King's Chapel (2003), Tit For Taat (2000), Danske (1998), Foxwood (1997), Veandercross (1991), Surfers Paradise (1990), Krona (1988), Sir Avon (1980), Vice Regal (1976) and Balmerino (1975).
The 2018 New Zealand 2000 Guineas was won by Madison County from Dawn Patrol and Sir Nate.
