Classy Queensland colt Sizzling will have to beat a big field if he is to kick off his Brisbane Winter Carnival campaign with a win in the 2013 Gold Coast Guineas (1200m) on Saturday.

Sizzling heads the Gold Coast Guineas field. Photo: Steve Hart.

A full allotment of 16 horses plus five emergencies will contest the $125,000 sprint but Sizzling is clearly the one to beat.

His handicap rating of 102 is 10 points clear of nearest rival Saluter.

Sizzling will be out to exact revenge on Saluter after finishing second behind him in the Magic Millions Guineas in January.

Despite the defeat, the Kelso Wood-trained colt is still one of the most promising gallopers in the sunshine state and is being set on a Stradbroke Handicap path.

From 13 starts he has won six times and starred as a two-year-old during last year’s winter carnival with an unbeaten four-start campaign.

The majority of the horses in the field are running first-up including Saluter and Darley-owned gelding Academus.

Academus displayed his quality when playing brisdemaid to Sizzling last winter and also took out the Group 2 WA Guineas in November.

Also last seen racing in Perth is Western Australian gelding Luke’s Luck who has joined Kelly Schweida’s Brisbane team for the winter carnival.

One of the few horses to have a lead-up into the Guineas is Sunshine Coast-based gelding Rocky King who was second behind spruik colt Better Than Ready in the Mick Dittman Plate in April.

The Tom Bourke-trained galloper is yet to taste black-type success but has shown promise with six wins and two minor placings from 11 starts.

Others in the Gold Coast Guineas field include Tony Gollan’s last-start winner The Storeman, Sydney traveller Dances On Stars and the Mick Price-trained Al Aneed.

Gold Coast Guineas 2013 – Final Field and Barrier Draw