A small field of just seven three-year-olds will run in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) this Saturday, however it’ll be a hotly contested race with the rivalry between Hallowed Crown and Sweynesse set to continue.

Sweynesse has run second to Hallowed Crown in both of his two career starts this campaign, however he may finally be able to get the upper hand on Saturday in the 2015 Rosehill Guineas. Trainer John O’Shea believes that 2000 metres is the ideal distance for Sweynesse, with the colt running third in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) back in October. Hallowed Crown meanwhile has yet to be tested at the trip.

“I always thought that was his optimum distance,” O’Shea told Sky Racing.

“He hasn’t been ready yet (this campaign). He’s getting close to being ready Saturday.”

Sweynesse resumed in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) first-up on February 21, racing between runners around midfield and having four lengths to make up from the 500 metre mark. He switched off heels with 250 metres to go and once clear made up good ground to just miss out to Hallowed Crown by a head.

The colt was then one of six runners in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) two weeks later. He restrained and settled sixth five and a half lengths back one off the fence before sneaking onto the rail and creeping up to save ground approaching 600 metres. The colt was third on straightening after taking shortcuts and stuck to task well near the rail, finishing three-quarters of a length behind Hallowed Crown in second place once again.

While Sweynesse has been narrowly beaten by Hallowed Crown twice, his owner Sheikh Mohammed has come out a winner since he is also a part-owner of Hallowed Crown. The two horses quinellaing in the 2015 Rosehill Guineas is the best result for him.

“He’s a horse that we identified as being a horse that we wanted Sheikh Mohammed to have an interest in. So to quinella those two lead-ups was a big result for the company and Sheikh Mohammed and hopefully we can do it again on Saturday,” Godolphin racing manager and Darley’s Australian bloodstock manager Jason Walsh said.

Hallowed Crown is the $2.70 favourite in the Rosehill Guineas betting market at Ladbrokes.com.au followed closely by Sweynesse at $2.80.

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