The G2 NZ Bloodstock Insurance Hawke’s Bay Guineas this Saturday is being billed as a showdown between classy colts Cellarmaster (Dubawi) and Jimmy Choux (Thorn Park).  

The duo have lined up against each other in their previous five starts.  They filled the placings in Group 1 events behind Banchee and Mr Nacho last season and resumed hostilities in the in the recent Listed Wanganui Guineas when Jimmy Choux was successful.

The Roger James trained He’s Remarkable (Pentire) is also in the mix after blowing away his opposition in Taupo earlier this month.

Maradona (Mr Nacho) won his maiden at Hastings a fortnight ago and also appeals even though he faces a much strong field in the Guineas.  He is a half-brother to Group 1 winner Ekstreme.

Fiddler (Keeninsky) is a last start winner of the Wanganui Guineas and the Tony Gillies trained galloper will be hard to run down again this Saturday.

Last start Peter McKay trained winner Grande Rosso (General Nediym) has claims as do Follow the Birds (O’Reilly), Undisclosed (Pins) and Icepin (Pins).

Icepin failed last time out but did win the G3 Waikato Stud 2YO Classic over 1200 metres and came second to Sister Havana in the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Million last season.

Filling out the Guineas field are We Can Say It Now (Starcraft), Shotoutofagun (Le Bec Fin), Barefoot (Footstepsinthesand) and The Phoenix (O’Reilly).

The Hawke’s Bay Guineas boasts some outstanding previous winners like Darci Brahma, Jokers Wild and Alamosa.  The $85,000 event is New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance’s third sponsorship already this season.