Brisbane trainer Kelly Schweida is looking to Cellargirl to join Shogun Sun as a Golden Rose contender.
The filly will run in a three-year-old handicap over 1350 metres at Doomben on Saturday and if she runs well, she could join Shogun Sun on a path the $1 million Golden Rose (1400m) in Sydney on September 23.
Cellargirl has had an interrupted campaign after winning a stakes race at Doomben in July.
She lashed out on a walker and injured a hind leg which set her back in her work.
Schweida has taken the filly along slowly and she has gradually built up to her top in recent weeks, winning at Doomben on August 16.
“She ran a very fast final sectional and it was a good run because I thought she might be a bit fresher and nearer the pace,” Schweida said.
“We will see if she is up to going south for the Golden Rose. If not we will head to the Magic Millions carnival.”
Cellargirl, who cost $90,000 at the Magic Millions sales, is raced by a syndicate of women headed by Heidi Whalley, the partner of the late jockey Tim Bell.
Shogun Sun remained on course for the Golden Rose with a strong second to Whypeeo at the Gold Coast on Saturday, lifting his prize money to a little over $100,000.
“It was always going to be a problem coming back to 1100 metres at the Gold Coast and he has run well,” Schweida said.
Addictive Nature, who Shogun Sun beat to win at Randwick two weeks ago, won Saturday’s Group Three Ming Dynasty Quality at Rosehill.
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Pariah assumed $6 favouritism for the Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill with his win at the track in Saturday’s San Domenico Stakes.
Shogun Sun and Cellargirl are at $26 and $51 respectively.
