Group 2 status, half-a-million dollars in prize money and bragging rights are solid enough incentives.
But if Dan Morton takes off his training cap and looks at the contest purely as a fan, he’s salivating at the prospect.
Saturday’s WA Guineas is the undercard to the Railway Stakes (1600m), but holds intrigue on its own with a bunch of WA’s top three-year-olds competing.
Super Smink had her ego bruised, but lost no admirers when boom filly Keshi Boom arrived strongly to win the Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) on Melbourne Cup Day.
Keshi Boom gave another subtle reminder of how good she is when winning last Saturday’s Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) and keeping her unbeaten record at four.
Neville Parnham hasn’t been shy in promoting stablemates Zipaway and Investmentstrategy with cogent reasons and when the Hall Of Famer talks up his team it pays to listen.
Investmentstrategy won the battle in the Fairetha Stakes (1400m), but Zipaway’s flashing fourth from a mile back after top wins earlier had flashing light written all over it.
Morton is no stranger to WA Guineas glory, he did it 2016 when Man Booker came hard to win from Spirit Bird and The Cobbla.
He’s very much looking forward to the battle of repeating the win with Super Smink, his reigning Two-Year-Old Horse Of The Year.
“To be honest, I’m quite excited by it,” Morton said.
“I think it’s going to be a great contest and not just the fillies.
“There are some pretty capable colts and geldings in there.
“I was taken by Neville’s (Parnham) two in the Fairetha.
“It’s a good contest going forward.”
Super Smink completed a sharp workout on Tuesday and if Morton was looking for any reassurance he got it from an unlikely source.
“She had a nice short, sharp piece of work on the grass,” Morton said.
“It looked really good to me and Chris (Parnham) was pretty up and about the work, which is a rare sighting for Chris.
“You don’t get much out of him, but he was glowing about her which is nice.”
The WA Guineas has been high on the agenda for Morton and Super Smink following her brilliant juvenile campaign.
Last season she became the first two-year-old to win the Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic, Karrakatta Plate and WA Sires’.
Morton is confident the daughter of Super One will be at her peak for the WA Guineas.
“We’ve obviously been aiming at some of the bigger ones for her,” Morton said.
“Fitness wise we’re coming to the point of where we need her.”
“Our focus has been on this one and whatever comes next.
“Hopefully we have her right on the day.”
From the Burgess Queen, Super Smink gets a 4kg weight swing on Keshi Boom.
She’s drawn barrier three for Parnham, who won the WA Guineas on War Saint (2020).
Keshi Boom for trainers Grant and Alana Williams has barrier eight. William Pike the pilot.
Punters can split Super Smink and Keshi Boom. They currently share $3 Tabtouch favouritism.
Zipaway is next at $8.