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Japan's World Ace, Real Impact contest George Ryder Saturday's A$1 million George Ryder S. (Aus-G1) immediately following the Golden Slipper boasts a handful of intriguing angles, not least of which is the unveiling of a pair of Japanese contenders for The Championships. World Ace and Real Impact both sons of Deep Impact, have been preparing for their Australian campaigns at the new Canterbury quarantine facility. World Ace, a Grade 2 winner going a mile last April, has prior experience traveling, having finished fourth, beaten five lengths, when last seen in the Hong Kong Mile (HK-G1) December 14. Real Impact is venturing from his homeland for the first time, but he was last seen taking the Hanshin Cup (Jpn-G2) over seven furlongs December 27. The raiders will have some stiff opposition from the locals, however, and early favoritism goes to the Waterhouse-trained four-year-old filly Cosmic Endeavour (Northern Meteor), who shoots for back-to-back Group 1 wins -- and three overall -- after taking the March 7 Canterbury S. A pair of three-year-olds exiting the March 7 Randwick Guineas (Aus-G1) also stake claims: Shooting To Win (Northern Meteor) and Kermadec (Teofilo). The former, winner of last year's Caulfield Guineas (Aus-G1), was third last-out after leading and over-racing, but should be able to take a sit and stalk here. Jockey Blake Shinn was bullish about Shooting To Win's chances, telling Racenet, "Saturday is a great race for him. Third-up, 1500 (meters) and he gets his chance to sit off the speed, which I'm sure will give him every chance to show what he's made of. He's working brilliantly and the three-year-olds are showing that they're capable against the older horses this season." Kermadec was hampered in running when fourth in the Guineas and will need luck here as well with a wide draw in 11. Godolphin import It's Somewhat (Dynaformer) made a big impression when taking the Liverpool City S. (Aus-G3) in his Australian debut February 28, and the classy Criterion (Sebring) should also make an impression with a first-up third in the Canterbury under his girth. Hallowed Crown (Street Sense), who stamped himself a colt of the highest class when earning his second Group 1 in the Randwick Guineas, looks to extend his record in Saturday's Rosehill Guineas (Aus-G1). The 2000-meter classic has often served as a springboard for three-year-olds to go on to become top middle-distance performers. Hallowed Crown is unbeaten this season, having also won the Hobartville S. (Aus-G2) over this strip February 21. The bay races beyond a mile for the first time so while there are distance question marks, his Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning sire should be considered a plus. James Cummings, who trains Hallowed Crown in partnership with his grandfather, the legendary Bart Cummings, for Darley and Gooree Stud, described the colt as "lovely and relaxed" earlier in the week. "My grandfather tells me when a horse is happy they get better and better," Cummings told Racenet. "From what I saw from him in his work on Saturday and (Tuesday), it's not a horse that wants to savage the line every time he comes out to work. It's the work of a horse that's building, and keeps building into his preparation, and he's built up a good record." Godolphin's Sweynesse (Lonhro) was second in both the Randwick Guineas and Hobartville, and he has the advantage of experience over the distance, having finished third, beaten 2 1/2 lengths, in the Spring Champion S. (Aus-G1) in October. He was also beaten less than two lengths when eighth in the 2040-meter Cox Plate (Aus-G1) last year. New Zealand Derby (NZ-G1) winner Mongolian Khan (Holy Roman Emperor) arrives in Australia with a big reputation on his shoulders. The colt has lost just once in seven outings, but co-trainer Andrew Forsman warned he has the opposite concern of some of his rivals -- the Guineas distance could be too short. "Dropping back to 2000 meters is going to be what might pull him up," Forsman told NZ Racing Desk. "There will be others with a bit more spring in their step than him. He had time off after the (New Zealand) Derby and we freshened him up. That will help, but he's an out-and-out stayer and there are horses with a bit of a turn of foot, which might count against him." Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com
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