Dual Australian Guineas winner Michael Dee has faith in New Zealand filly Quintessa

After winning the Australian Guineas last year with a New Zealand galloper, history could repeat for jockey Michael Dee at Flemington on Saturday.

Dual Australian Guineas winner Michael Dee has faith in Quintessa’s New Zealand form stacking up favourably on Saturday at Flemington.

New Zealand expat Dee, a 12-time Group 1 winner, claimed the Australian Guineas last year with another talented Kiwi in Legarto.

Legarto won five of six starts, including a Group 1, before a brilliant Australian debut to nail Attrition on the post at Flemington.

• Brothers can add another chapter to Hayes’ Guineas success

Quintessa, trained by Mark Walker, boasts a similar record, four of seven including the Group 1 Levin Classic, and been runner-up twice to promising Kiwi colt and fellow Australian Guineas contender The Pendragon.

“It’s hard to line up the form but she’s a Group 1 winner in New Zealand,” Dee said.

“Whenever she wins she doesn’t win by much but Mark Walker said she’s a winner and she puts her head out.”

There is only 1

Opie gets Quintessa up in a bunch finish to take out the G1 @CambridgeStud Levin Classic@TeAkauRacing | @opie_bosson | @RosemontStud | @LeighHawkins00 | @KarakaChat | @WgtnRacingpic.twitter.com/VlnQH4vKuR

— TAB Racing (@TAB_Racing) January 13, 2024

Te Akau filly Quintessa is an $18 chance with TAB to become only the seventh filly in 38 years to win the Australian Guineas.

Mystic Journey (2019) and Legarto achieved the feat most recently.

Quintessa has Group 1 Victoria Derby winner Riff Rocket, a firm $2.60 favourite, to contend with after his ominous CS Hayes Stakes victory first-up at Flemington.

• Early Oil: Flemington race-by-race analysis for Australian Guineas day

King Colorado ($7) and Veight ($7.50) round out the top three in betting from Southport Tycoon ($11), Snow Patrol ($13) and Otago ($17).

Dee, who caused a major boil over in the 2021 Australian Guineas on Lunar Fox, the longest priced Group 1 winner in Australian racing history at $301), got a feel for Quintessa last Tuesday.

“She’s quite casual in trackwork but she galloped nicely,” Dee said.

“She switches on race day, never really run a bad race … she deserves a crack over here and Mark is confident with how she’s going.”

Legarto won last year’s Australian Guineas with Legarto. Picture: George Sal/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Dee plans to use the barrier eight, one inside Riff Rocket, to potentially settle in front of the favourite in the run.

“She’ll be midfield or touch worse, just relaxing and trying to finish off,” Dee said.

“Riff Rocket was obviously very impressive last start, a horse to keep an eye on in the run and be around, at this stage I’d be hoping to get in front of it in the run.”

Alligator Blood completed the CS Hayes-Australian Guineas double in 2020.

The Victoria Derby has produced only three Australian Guineas winners from 14 starters, including Hitotsu (2022), Mahogany (1994) and King’s High (1989).

Dee has five rides at Flemington, including Holymanz for Ciaron Maher in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m).

Dee won the inaugural Coastal Classic at Geelong aboard Holymanz two starts back before the gelding was tested in a $1m race in New Zealand and finished fourth.

Holymanz has trialled well ahead of the Blamey Stakes.

Originally published as Dual Australian Guineas winner Michael Dee has faith in New Zealand filly Quintessa