KEY POINTS:
MELBOURNE - The Edward Manifold Stakes is traditionally a good guide to the Thousand Guineas but it isn't the Manifold winner that trainer Leon Macdonald is concerned about going into today's group one race at Caulfield.
The Macdonald-trained Serious Speed finished second to El Daana in the Manifold but the trainer agrees with punters that third placegetter Absolut Glam is the one to beat.
The Danny O'Brien-trained filly has been heavily backed over the past 24 hours and is the $5 favourite for the 1600m race for three-year-old fillies after being put up an equal favourite with Arcadia.
"Absolut Glam is definitely the one to beat," Macdonald said last night. "But I also think Serious Speed is over the odds."
Serious Speed got a bump at the start of the Manifold and was forced to go back then flashed home to finish a long neck behind El Daana. Absolut Glam was a half-neck away after being unable to secure clear running.
The guineas, worth A$500,000, has been reduced to 14 runners with the scratching of Jaywalk.
Macdonald does not see the barrier as a disadvantage for Serious Speed as the filly also drew wide in the Manifold.
"It wasn't too much of a disadvantage then because we intended to ride her back anyway," he said.
"But she did have to do a bit more work after getting bumped at the start which made her effort even better.
Unlike many rivals today, Serious Speed will not be going on to the A$1 million Victoria Oaks at Flemington on November 8.
"She's not nominated and I doubt that she could run the trip," Macdonald said.
Equine influenza has taken its toll on the feature, with no runners from New South Wales or Queensland.
- AAP
