The Group 1 Caulfield Guineas is the true three-year-old championship of Australia, and this year's edition is one of the deepest, most wide-open contests in memory. Leading the Sydney raid is Warwoven. Trained by Bjorn Baker, the colt was dominant in the Golden Rose and arrives as the one to beat, but he'll be turning left-handed for the first time in his career. Can he handle the switch? The Maher stable fires multiple bullets. Unit Five is chasing a return to the brilliant form of his two-year-old season, and he looks to be peaking at the right time. Tornado Valley gets the services of the Wizard of the West, William Pike, while Seraphox emerges from the Caulfield Guineas Prelude. That race was won by Blind Raise, who retains Blake Shinn. Then there's the Chris Waller battalion: Tron Bolt (Craig Williams), Diameter, Central Europe (ridden by the world's best jockey, James McDonald) and Somethings Burnin'. With a name like that, expect fireworks at Caulfield on Saturday.

The Guineas doesn't stand alone. Two more Group 1s share the opening day of the Caulfield Cup Carnival in a triple-header of Group 1 action. In the Might and Power, arguably the most exciting horse in the country, Sheza Alibi, returns to Caulfield. Dominant in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes a month ago at Flemington, she'll be a short price as she steps out to 2000m for the first time. Standing in her way is fellow last-start Group 1 winner Birdman. Chris Waller's Underwood Stakes who hero looks right at home over the trip.

The Toorak Handicap over 1600m is a wide-open, big-field thriller. Can Evaporate finally breakthrough for that elusive first Group 1 win under Blake Shinn after four top-level placings? Will the Waller and McDonald combination strike again with Lady Shenandoah? Or can six-year-old mare Changing Colours make it five wins straight? It's sure to be a highlight of the day.

Up the highway at Rosehill, the $2 million Group 2 Hill Stakes headlines in Sydney. Lindermann looks best suited to return to the winner's stall. The Chris Waller gelding has banked more than $5 million in career earnings and thrives under pressure.

Feature racing and non-stop action across the country: this is one of the biggest days of the Australian Spring Racing Carnival. With The TAB Everest and the Caulfield Cup just one week away, the spring is building to a roar.

Photo: SKY Racing