Gingernuts ride key

Riding engagements for Te Akau’s assault on the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) will be decided later this week.

Jockeys for Embellish, the $4 prepost favourite for the Al Basti Equiworld-sponsored classic, the unbeaten Te Akau Shark and Age Of Fire will be confirmed after a decision is made whether Opie Bosson partners stablemate Gingernuts in Australia.

The Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards-trained Gingernuts will travel to Melbourne today in preparation for the Gr.1 Emirates Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on November 11, the same day as the Riccarton feature.

“A decision hasn’t been made yet,” Te Akau principal David Ellis said. “I gave Opie the option and he said you make the decision and I’ll do whatever you want. We’ve got three really nice chances for the Guineas, it’s hard to split them.”

Savabeel colt Embellish has been ridden in all three outings by Bosson, the latest of them a defeat of the older horses in a Rating 65 event over 1400m at Trentham on Saturday.

Bosson has also guided Te Akau Shark to two impressive wins, which have propelled the son of Rip Van Winkle to $7 second favouritism for the Guineas, while Age Of Fire has won one of his three starts and was placed last time out in the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes.

“He’s also a genuine chance, he has really improved and the form out of that race is very good,” Ellis said.

The Fastnet Rock colt, who is at $12 in the Guineas market, finished third behind Prom Queen and Sensei in the Ashburton lead-up.