Absolutelyawesome Derby favourite

Chris Scholtz , Racing And Sports

Mike Moroney was a relieved trainer when he saw an entry list of only 20 three-year-olds for Saturday's $500,000 Rosehill Guineas.

Moroney feared his emerging classic prospect Absolutelyawesome was in danger of missing a place in the Rosehill Guineas field, a scenario that would have upset his three-year-old's preparation for the $1.5 million AJC Derby at Randwick on April 9.

Absolutelyawesome has won only one race, a Kilmore maiden, and with earnings of only $50,125 could have been left outside the cut for the Rosehill Guineas despite his last start fourth in the G1 Randwick Guineas at Warwick Farm.

However with only 20 entries Absolutelyawesome is safely in the final field for the Guineas at 14th on the elimination order.

Glen Boss will be hoping to continue his red hot Group One form from last Saturday when he rides Absolutelyawesome in the Rosehill Guineas, a race he has won once previously on Sky Heights in 1999.

Boss rode the son of Japanese shuttle sire Zenno Rob Roy for the first time in the Randwick Guineas and came away believing he was a great Derby prospect.

"I've got a huge opinion of him and thought his run was terrific,' Boss said.

Anthony Feroce, racing manager for the Moroney stable, said the trainer was happy with Absolutelyawesome's work at Randwick today.

“Mike flew up to watch the horse work in Sydney this morning and both he and Glen were very happy with the horse's performance," Feroce said.

"He is right on target and the 2000 metres this weekend will be to his advantage.”

Moroney has also nominated Absoluteyawesome for the $500,000 Sydney Cup (3200m) on April 23, a fair indication of the opinion he holds of the gelding's staying potential.

"It is more as a precaution – it's better to be in it than not," Feroce said.

The Randwick Guineas fourth by Absolutelyawesome made an impact on market framers as he has taken a clear hold on AJC Derby favouritism at $5 in the latest TAB Sportsbet market.