DARREN Weir will saddle up three of the top five in the market for the group 1 $750,000 Australian Guineas, 1600m, at Flemington on Saturday.
Palentino is rated his best chance ahead of Mahuta and Perfect Reflection.
New Zealand colt Xtravagant, with five wins in eight lifetime starts, is the favourite for the autumn three-year-old classic.
Palentino is out to make amends for his last-start loss on protest to Tivaci in the CS Hayes, 1400m, at Flemington on February 20. They will clash again in the Guineas.
Mahuta has been one of the glamour performers of the Weir team this season.
He has strung together six wins in a row - five in black-type races since breaking his maiden status at Kyneton in October.
The son of Flying Spur rounded out the spring in the group 2 Sandown Guineas and then landed the listed $1.85m Magic Millions Guineas on the Gold Coast ahead of a last-start victory in the group 2 Autumn Stakes on February 13.
Perfect Reflection is having her second start for Weir since arriving from Western Australia, where she was unbeaten in five runs.
These included the group 1 Kingston Town Classic in December.
She is one of only four fillies in the Guineas.
Xtravagant is $3.60 favourite with TAB.com.au fixed odds ahead of Palentinio $7.10, Tarzino $7.50, Mahuta $9 and Perfect Reflection $10.
Meanwhile, Weir is expanding the Warrnambool arm of his training operation with new stables at the racecourse.
He will add 30 horses to the 54 he already prepares at his Wangoom satellite stable.
DANIEL Kelly was back in the winners' circle at Terang on Monday.
Three-year-old Professor Tee ($7) scored for the Ballarat trainer at his third race start in a maiden, 1406m.
The son of Testafiable finished hard from back in field over the last 400m to go away by more than a length.
Professor Tee is out race-winning mare Abassi Queen and a half-brother to race-winner Sirgasalot.
Barry and Glen James also saluted on a successful day for Ballarat stables.
Betcher ($9) gave the stable its second win in a week in a 0-58 handicap, 1000m, with Ballarat apprentice jockey Lucinda Doodt making full use of a 3kg claim.
It was a form reversal for the four-year-old, which has only had the one previous win in 13 career starts back in October, 2014.
Darren Weir Had a double of the program with Get The Dukes Out ($3) in a maiden, 1206m, and Ma Jones ($4 favourite) in a benchmark64, 1206m.
BALLARAT trainer Dan O'Sullivan might be heading back to the Adelaide Cup, 3200m, on Monday, March 14 with veteran Tuscan Fire.
Tuscan Fire went into the race in 2013 as one of the top fancies, but had no luck and finished well back.
Darren Weir duo Signoff (59kg) and Real Love (55.5kg) are top weights.
