Jockey Danny Nikolic. Photo / Supplied
She's at the peak of condition, at the top of her game going into the Guineas and I wouldn't swap her for anything else even with the barrier.
Victorian jockey Danny Nikolic says he would not swap VRC Oaks winner Mosheen for any other runner in the Australian Guineas despite the filly drawing the outside barrier.
Nikolic said that while the barrier "wasn't idyllic" he would work out a plan in the first 10 seconds of the race to ensure the Robert Smerdon-trained filly got the best run possible in the feature at Flemington today.
"I will work it out within the first 150m," Nikolic said yesterday.
"She has got good tactical speed if I need it to put her in a position.
"Hopefully, I can get a bit of cover and she can do the rest."
Historically, wide barriers in the Guineas are bad news with a horse yet to win from wider from gate nine. However, Nikolic feels Mosheen is good enough to overcome the hoodoo.
He said the daughter of Fastnet Rock, who was $6 second favourite for the Guineas with TAB Sportsbet, was "quite mature" and, after her two runs this campaign and riding her trackwork this week, she was spot-on.
"She's at the peak of condition, at the top of her game going into the Guineas and I wouldn't swap her for anything else even with the barrier," Nikolic said.
Mosheen won the VRC Oaks by nine lengths and was brilliant winning the listed Shadwell Stud Australasia Stakes first-up over 1200m at Caulfield on February 4.
Nikolic said Mosheen should be forgiven for her last-start defeat in The Vanity (1410m) at Flemington two weeks ago when she started odds-on, gave 3.5kg to every runner, and was beaten in a photo finish by Shopaholic.
"She is still pretty good at 1400m but it is very hard to beat them when you are giving away fitness and a weight advantage in a set weights and penalties race," Nikolic said.
"I think she is fitter now and probably as good as she will ever be.
"I couldn't fault her on her trackwork on Tuesday. I am happy with her."
Nikolic said $3.10 favourite Helmet was the best horse in the race and suspected that he would lead after he was dropped behind the pace last start when fifth in the Listed C.S. Hayes Stakes (1410m) at Flemington on February 18. "If Helmet turns up with his A game he's the one to beat.
"His best is probably better than anyone else's in the race being a Caulfield Guineas winner and I would say he will probably go out and lead this weekend."
Mosheen would be the fourth filly to win the Guineas after Shamrocker last year, Triscay (1991) and Miss Finland (2007).
Shamrocker's stablemates Adamantium ($19) and Decircles ($17) fly the flag for trainer Danny O'Brien in this year's Guineas.
Adamantium is backing up from last week's third to King Mufhasa in the Futurity Stakes (1400m) and has drawn ideally in barrier six while Decircles has barrier 18. "Adamantium's run on Saturday was terrific at weight-for-age level," O'Brien said.
"His past two runs at 1400m have him ready for 1600m and he has the versatility to race forward or back which makes him a great chance."
O'Brien said Decircles was tough and couldn't be going better after his last-start second to That's The One.
"We would have preferred to have drawn in but he's flying and the step to the mile is ideal," O'Brien said.
New Zealand will be represented in the race by VRC Derby winner Sangster, who was well beaten behind Veyron when he resumed over 1400m at Te Rapa last month.
Despite his wide draw he could be a trifecta hope should the track become heavy.
- AAP