Bjorn Baker’s in form Zoustar gelding Battleton is clear favourite to post a much-deserved winter win when he lines up in Saturday’s 2022 Winx Guineas at the Sunshine Coast.

One of the key races on the bumper Caloundra Cup Day card in Queensland this weekend, the Group 3 $200,000 Double R Group Winx Guineas (1600m) field features 16 smart three-year-olds.

Coming off a consistent winter prep in Brisbane, the progressive Battleton sits top of the latest Winx Guineas betting markets at $2.40 and firming through Ladbrokes.com.au.

Group 1 performed when fifth at $151 in Flemington’s Coolmore Stud Stakes behind Home Affairs in the spring, he’s been strong this prep posting three top three runs.

The latest two have been in Group 3 company at Eagle Farm when third to Vilana in the Fred Best Classic from out wide over 1400m, and second beaten two lengths by Kiss Sum in the Group 3 Gunsynd Classic over the mile on Stradbroke Day.

Having seen the 1600m, he now drops in grade and looks a huge hope from a gun barrier four draw with Nash Rawiller retaining the ride.

Battleton is a dominant favourite with the next best in betting being the Danny Bougoure-trained filly Indiscreetly at $7 in gate two.

The Brisbane-based daughter of Spill The Beans has won three of her five starts to date and was last seen running second at Ipswich behind Subterranean in the TL Cooney over 1350m.

She’s proven at a mile having won Doomben’s City To Surf on Boxing Day as the odds-on elect, and is looking to atone for her last run in a feature race when dead last (18^th) win excuses at the Gold Coast in January’s $2 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m).

A further two runners can be found under $10 in the Winx Guineas odds this season with Majestic Colour ($8) and TL Cooney winner Subterranean ($8.50) considered the dangers out wide in gates 12 and 14 respectively.

Kelly Schweida’s consistent So You Think gelding Majestic Colour comes off a hat-trick of wins in easier grade, and is now looking to extend his winning streak in his Black-Type debut.

He has been dominant all prep including a second-up win in the mud at Ipswich by four lengths with 59kg two back.

Majestic Colour was last seen saluting over the Doomben mile on June 15 by nearly two lengths on Good going to show off his versatility and ability at the distance.

Another last start winner, the Matthew Dunn-trained Rebel Dane gelding Subterranean is the proven horse in the field having his 19^th career start on Saturday.

He posted his third success when beating Indiscreetly home by three-quarters of a length on Ipswich Cup Day, but is back up in grade and distance for the rematch.

Outside of the single-figure fancies the other best in betting include the David Vandyke-trained Headwater gelding Whitewater ($11) coming off a narrow 1600m Eagle Farm win from last weekend and Dundeel colt Ashgrove ($11) from the stables of Tony Gollan last seen finishing fifth in the Gunsynd.

The 2022 Winx Guineas is set to run as the Sunshine Coast Race 7 at 4:45pm (AEST), with full markets available here courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au.

2022 Winx Guineas Final Field & Barrier Draw

Table Credit: Racing Australia.