That seems about right. His win first up in what has clearly become the premier Guineas lead up, the Group 3 C S Hayes Stakes (1400m) was outstanding, running to the same rating he did in his Derby win- a rare feat.
He carried the full 59.5kg there and let rip late, with the 0.8 length margin not indicative of the strength of his win. It’s hard, but not impossible to see something turning the tables from that race. Naysayers would be banking on Riff Rocket putting in a flat one or not taking the required improvement.
The same could already be said of a few here that have had two runs under the belt.
King Colorado improved second-up, but only marginally, and will need to do so again to jump Riff Rocket.
Veight comes through the weight-for-age form but ran the same rating behind Mr Brightside that he did winning at Moonee Valley first up, which is negligibly better than what he’d managed when second in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m). It’s still slightly below what Riff Rocket ran first-up.
Similar story Southport Tycoon, who actually regressed slightly second-up as a short-priced favourite in the Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m). He was beaten by the resuming Snow Patrol there with WA raider Zipaway in third.