Hucklebuck is likely to go into the Australian Guineas as nominal favourite after his win in the C S Hayes Stakes at Flemington.

He will strip a fit horse after Saturday and now looks as if he will get the 1600 metres, where there may have been doubts previously, they might be erased now.

Each time his trainer, Phillip Stokes, raises the bar he has met the challenge, if ridden as he was in the Hayes Stakes he will get the 1600 metres of the Guineas.

Hucklebuck raced mid field for most of the Hayes Stakes, his rider, Dom Tourneur, gave the gelding a testing assignment, which he needed, he went to the line full of running.

Boom colt Prince Harada was given a great ride by Craig Williams, he didn’t get the trip yet it was still the best run he has turned in to date 

Phillip Stokes takes Hucklebuck into the Guineas as a more seasoned horse, he is now relaxing in his races and he is beginning to grow up, coming good at the right time.

Polanski was scratched again, for the second time, during his Guineas preparation due to ring worm, the worst of that is now behind him, however his fitness has to be questioned, there is nothing like racing to get a horse fully fit.

Hucklebuck wins C S Hayes Stakes