Three-year-old colt Hallowed Crown holds a nomination for both the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) and Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (1600m) this Saturday but will be kept against his own age group in the Guineas.

Hallowed Crown will take on his fellow 3YOs in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas this Saturday. Photo by Steve Hart.

Hallowed Crown leads the nominations for the 2015 Rosehill Guineas, which attracted 15 three-year-olds on Monday morning.

The Bart & James Cummings-trained colt is in great form after winning both of his starts this campaign but isn’t quite ready to tackle his older rivals at this stage.

Hallowed Crown has been a highlight for part-owners Gooree Stud, winning six of his seven career starts, two of which were at the highest level of racing, and earning more than $1.3 million in prize money already.

“He has done everything right and is an exciting horse to have anything to do with,” said Gooree’s racing manager Monica Barrera, who is also the wife of co-trainer James.

“He has only been beaten once and has already won two group 1s, so you have an expectation when he goes to the races. We are looking forward to Saturday because it is one of the biggest days for Gooree for a number of years with Speak Fondly as well.”

The 2015 Rosehill Guineas will see Hallowed Crown clash yet again with John O’Shea’s Sweynesse, who he narrowly beat in both the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m).

Other talented three-year-olds set to run in the race include Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) winner Hampton Court, Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) winner Kermadec, Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) winner Preferment, and Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) runner-up Volkstok’n’barrell.

Hallowed Crown may be Gooree Stud’s big name runner this Saturday but they’ll also be represented by Speak Fondly in the feature race – Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m).

“We had a good think about running, but when you sit down and look at it there is no other race like the Slipper in terms of prizemoney,” Barrera said.

“If you run in the first 10 you get $50,000 and it is hard to knock that. If we wait for the Percy Sykes Stakes during The Championship we would have to run again and there really isn’t a suitable race for her in that time.

“She is a tough filly and we were able to get Damien Oliver to ride her, so she will get her chance against the good colts, Vancouver and Exosphere.”

Speak Fondly is one of three Gai Waterhouse-trained horses in the 2015 Golden Slipper and a last start winner of the Group 2 Magic Night Stakes (1200m) on Saturday, which means she’ll be backing up with just one week between runs.

The filly drew barrier 12 this morning but will likely come into gate 10 following the scratchings of the first two emergencies. Champion hoop Damien Oliver will partner the filly.