Racing: McKee pair set to front Jimmy

Jonathan Riddell and Jimmy Choux winning the 2000 Guineas at Riccarton, are together at Ellerslie today. Photo / Getty Images

Stephen McKee will saddle up Raffles Knight and Eight Schillings - two in-form runners - in the $100,000 (Group Two) Great Northern Guineas at Ellerslie today.

The McKee stable has been as busy as usual this season, accumulating 18 wins, with a strong group of 2 and 3-year-olds hitting winning form.

"I couldn't be happier with the way both of my 3-year-olds have trained heading into the Guineas," said McKee.

"I can't fault their race form and it's going to be a big jump in class stepping into Group racing but they both deserve a shot at this race."

Raffles Knight is unbeaten in two race starts - including a gritty last-start victory at Ellerslie - with regular jockey Leith Innes again on board today.

Eight Schillings is the type of athlete every owner wants - four starts for two wins and two placings - with top jockey James McDonald in the saddle.

For all their promising race form both McKee runners still lack the genuine Group One form of race-rival and likely favourite Jimmy Choux.

Jimmy Choux has been the early season 3-year-old star culminating in an impressive Group One victory in the 2000 Guineas at Riccarton Park.

However Jimmy Choux was pulled up in his last start after suffering heart fibrillation problems in the Levin Classic.

There is no doubting the class of Jimmy Choux but if there was ever a time punters were keen to take on a hot favourite - today is the day - as there must still be a query around the race fitness of a horse who was pulled out of the running in his last-start.

Hastings trainer John Bary is confident his stable star is ready for another searching test over 1600m and there is only one way to find out if this is back to full fitness - by racing him.

Icepin is the interesting runner in the field.

The Pins-gelding was a gritty last-start winner at Pukekohe but faces a significant jump in class here.

Icepin was far from disgraced in Group One company on this track last season and from barrier eight is expected to take an on-the-pace sit which is important in 1600m events at Ellerslie.

Later in the day, Red Ruler will be all the rage for all the right reasons in the Group One Zabeel Classic.

The John Sargent-trained runner has returned from a Melbourne campaign in imposing form lumping massive weights in lead-up racing to this Group One event.

Red Ruler found the line impressively at Te Rapa last Saturday and it will take an exceptional performance to deny him a Group One victory.

Michael Walker returns from Melbourne to ride Ginga Dude, who, along with Mr Tipsy and November Rain are other winning chances.