The 2011 Randwick Guineas has been named as the next autumn start for Ilovethiscity after the Grahame Begg-trained colt claimed an impressive win in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill last Saturday, February 26.

Scoring a strong victory as the $3.50 favourite over the Peter Snowden-trained duo Retrieve and Skilled, Ilovethiscity was super impressive in the Hobartville Stakes earning a shot at the $500,000 Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) at Warwick Farm on Saturday March 12.

Brenton Avdulla who was aboard Ilovethiscity and admittedly amazed with the ease of the colts’ win in the Hobartville will be retained by Begg for the Randwick Guineas.

Group 1 placed in the Golden Rose last year Magic Albert three-year-old Ilovethiscity, purchased for just $40,000 at the 2009 Inglis Classic Sale in Sydney, has now won three of their 10 career starts for $443,000 in prize money.

If Ilovethiscity backs up well and continues their good form in the Randwick Guineas, then Begg will look at running him in Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill’s Golden Slipper Day on April 2 and possibly even the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on April 16.

Leading online bookmaker Luxbet currently have Ilovethiscity as a $17 chance in their early Doncaster Mile betting, More Joyous the raging favourite at $3.80.

Weights for the 2011 Doncaster Mile have been released, Ilovethiscity an ideal light-weight chance having been allocated just 51kg.

Gai Waterhouse’s brilliant mare More Joyous continued her stunning form on Saturday with a smart win in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

It was the four-year-olds’ second win on the trot having resumed with a 2 ½ length victory in the Group 2 Breeders Classic (1200m) at Randwick on February 12.

Other horses heading towards a start in the 2011 Randwick Guineas include the Gai Waterhouse-trained Fast Clip who scored a courageous win at Randwick on Friday carrying a hefty 61.5kg and the Chris Waller-trained Pressday who bungled the start in the Hobartville on Saturday and could only manage to finish 10^th beaten 4 ½ lengths.

Nominations for the 2011 Randwick Guineas are released on Monday March 7 followed by the final field on Wednesday March 9.

Betting will open on the feature soon after, but Doncaster Mile odds are already out at Luxbet so back Ilovethiscity now at their generous odds through Luxbet to really clean up come Randwick Guineas Day!

Photo courtesy (c) Steve Hart Photographics