Albany’s two Guineas hopes primed for feature race

Talented galloper Lordhelpmerun is at the top of his game, according to Albany trainer Steve Wolfe ahead of his crack at Saturday’s $500,000 Group 2 WA Guineas (1600m) at Ascot.

Wolfe is chasing his first success in the long-running three-year-old feature race, with his best performance still fifth back in 2013.

Lordhelpmerun finished third in the Karrakatta Plate (1200m) and won the WA Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) as a two-year-old last season and Wolfe is confident his young star can become a Group 2 winner at his fourth run this campaign.

“I’m sure we’ll be in the finish,” Wolfe said.

“I’m sure he’ll run out a strong mile and I couldn’t see why he wouldn’t be at the top of his game.

“We had Three Secrets in this race last year, he ran sixth, but this horse is much better than him to win the race.

“We just have to beat Arcadia Queen — she’s the one in my opinion.”

Lordhelpmerun has been runner-up twice this preparation, including last start in the listed Fairetha Stakes (1400m) behind second favourite in the Guineas field, The Velvet King.

Stable jockey Shaun McGruddy will ride the Playing God gelding which will carry 56.5kg from barrier nine.

Tabtouch had Lordhelpmerun as a $12 chance in betting yesterday with the Grant and Alana Williams-trained Arcadia Queen favourite at $3.35.

Albany will have two representatives in the WA Guineas, with Zetorio among the final field of 16 for local trainer Roy Rogers.

Zetorio has produced two slashing performances in the Belgravia and Fairetha Stakes, storming home to finish sixth on both occasions. Jockey Jason Whiting will be aboard Zetorio from barrier 12 with 56.5kg on his back.

“It’s great to have one competitive enough to be in a field like this and I think he deserves it,” Rogers said.

“I’m not worried about the barrier, he can jump well but when he has drawn a good gate he’s got bottled up.

“It would be nice to see him lob midfield with cover.

“He got held up in the Fairetha, but it’s probably the most tractable he’s ever raced and he’s been a lot more settled in his work.”

A winner in two of seven career starts, Zetorio was listed as an $81 chance yesterday.

The WA Guineas is one of six feature races on a huge opening day of the Masters carnival on Saturday.

Wolfe’s pair Red Ora and My Greek Boy will contest the listed $100,000 Carbine Club Of WA Stakes (1400m) and smart three-year-old Triggerfish will tackle the listed $100,000 Placid Ark Stakes (1200m) for Wolfe and hoop Peter Hall.