The Fortune Teller and Holymanz will line-up for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace chasing back-to-back Australian Guineas success.
Maher has been taken with the improvement both horses have made from their spring campaigns and enter Saturday’s Group 1 race over 1600m at Flemington second and third-up respectively.
The training duo know what is required to win the Group 1 contest having claimed the race last year with Victoria Derby winner Hitotsu.
The Fortune Teller has only the one win to his credit, a maiden win in soft ground at Swan Hill last August, but the colt was a quick riser through the ranks last spring.
He resumed his autumn campaign with a closing third behind Glint Of Silver in the Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Sandown on February 11.
“The Fortune Teller was super the other day,” Maher said.
“He was placed in the Carbine Club Stakes, he was placed in the Sandown Guineas and was beaten just over a length in the Caulfield Guineas last spring.
“He’s strengthened up quite a bit this campaign and is a nice horse.”
Holymanz started his career a little later than The Fortune Teller, winning a maiden on debut at Horsham in October, graduating to the Sandown Guineas, finishing seventh, at his third start.
Maher said, like The Fortune Teller, Holymanz had made giant strides this campaign, winning first-up at Moonee Valley before running second to Australian Guineas contender Elliptical in the Group 2 C S Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on February 18.
“He’s come up well this time,” Maher said of Holymanz.
“He won at The Valley and then ran second in the lead-up the other day.
“The Fortune Teller has a great record at the mile and Holymanz is a lot more relaxed horse this time around. He’s bred to get it (1600m) and I think he will.
“They’re two genuine hopes.”
The pair have drawn next to each with Holymanz, to be ridden by Mark Zahra, in gate five while The Fortune Teller, with John Allen aboard, has gate six.
Both horses are also in the final field for the Group 1 Randwick Guineas on Saturday with Holymanz drawing 11 and The Fortune Teller barrier 13.
They also hold nominations in the Rosehill Guineas (2000m), Doncaster Mile (1600m) and Australian Derby (2400m) during the Sydney Autumn Carnival.
“The Fortune Teller could get to 10 furlongs as he has strengthened and Holymanz is a bit the same, but I’m not sure whether they will get a mile-and-a-half,” Maher said.
“We’ll see.”