Feroce wins an epic Howden Australian Guineas
Feroce and jockey Billy Egan won a thrilling edition of the $1 million Group 1 Howden Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington, giving trainer Dom Sutton a maiden Group 1 win.
Feroce's ownership group includes Collingwood Coach Craig McRae, former Brisbane coach Justin Leppitsch and former Western Bulldogs player Tory Dickson.
The three-year-old defeated New Zealand visitor Savaglee and South Australian galloper Goldrush Guru in the Howden Australian Guineas, earning his place in next week’s Group 1 The All-Star Mile at Flemington. Jockeys in the race wore black armbands in memory of Mike Moroney.
Earlier in the day, Marble Arch also secured her spot in $2.5 million The All-Star Mile after winning the $300,000 Group 2 TAB Blamey Stakes (1600m). The win means Ben, JD and Will Hayes have three runners in The All-Star Mile with Rise at Dawn and Mr Brighside already in the field.
The $1 million Inglis Sprint (1200m) went the way of Queensland visitor El Morzillo while in the Good Friday Appeal Plate (1100m), Scillato remained undefeated in three starts.
More than $15,000 was raised for the Good Friday Appeal, with further opportunities to donate on Super Saturday and TAB Australian Cup Day.
Feast by Melbourne Food and Wine Festival was a popular haven for racegoers who indulged in delicious bites from San Telmo and Lee Ho Fook along the long dining tables, with Tipo 00 and MoVida joining the line up for Super Saturday.
Five lucky racegoers were revealed as owner ambassadors of an All-Star Mile contender and their chance to win $100,000 if their horse was to win. The five attendees selected at random included Stephen Moss, Anthony Jordan, Caroline Downy, Terry Evans and Andrew Williams.
VRC Chief Executive Kylie Rogers said Howden Australian Guineas Day was a sensational day of racing and entertainment.
“Flemington turned it on for Howden Australian Guineas Day with strong racing, an electric atmosphere and a day young trainer Dom Sutton will never forget,” Ms Rogers said.
“The Melbourne Food and Wine festival partnership was popular with many of the 8464 racegoers and adds another dimension to autumn racing at Headquarters.
“Today sets the scene for two massive race days at Flemington to come with Super Saturday on Saturday 8 March and an epic finale on TAB Australian Cup Day on Saturday 29 March.”
The 2025 Flemington Racing Spectacular continues next weekend with Super Saturday, featuring the Yulong Newmarket Handicap, on Saturday 8 March and concludes with TAB Australian Cup Day on Saturday 29 March.