THE Australian Guineas over 1,600 metres has a brief history by Flemington standards. It was first run in 1986, unlike the Victoria Derby which traces back to 1855. In it short time though it has certainly thrown up its share of stallions, most notably Zabeel and Pins.

Gracing the winner’s stall on Saturday, the New Zealand-bred Grunt had Mick Price setting some lofty spring goals for the O’Reilly colt out of the Van Nistelrooy mare Ruqqaya. “Hopefully he’s a Cox Plate horse that can get around Moonee Valley or maybe a Caulfield Cup horse,” said Price who indicated Grunt would most likely head to the paddock. “I am mindful that he’s going to be a really, really good four-year-old and it wouldn’t worry if I had to put him out. How he won, is the horse he is. He’s just a beautiful, big Flemington horse with a really good set of lungs on him.”

Relishing the heady pace set early, Damien Oliver bided his time on Grunt, steadily improving from midfield to set sail for the leaders on straightening. Hitting the front with 100 metres to run, Grunt kept to the task, winning by a half-length from the Animal Kingdom colt Peaceful State and the High Chaparral filly Bring Me Roses.

Grunt now has four wins from five starts having been bought from his breeders Trelawney Stud for NZ$220,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale.