Unbeaten filly Champagne Cath returns to racing on Saturday as only a remote chance of figuring in her all-conquering trainer’s major spring plans.
Off the scene since a Rosehill win on December, Champagne Cath was one of the favourites for the Magic Millions Classic until a setback forced her to miss the $2 million race as well as the Sydney autumn carnival.
Champagne Cath - Photo by Steve Hart
And her eagerly awaited new-season campaign could also be light-on as trainer Chris Waller closely monitors her physical development.
“I think she might still be a little bit weak and that is why I have only looked at two races for her so far,” Waller said.
“She might not be up to too much more than that because I think she is an athletic filly who is still growing.”
Champagne Cath has already been well backed to win the National Jockeys Trust Handicap at Rosehill – a race Waller is using as a lead-in to the Group Two Silver Shadow Stakes at Warwick Farm on August 24.
“I’m hoping to get her to the Silver Shadow in three weeks time and that is the reason for running her this early,” Waller said.
“I want to season her a little bit. She might not be up to the Silver Shadow but Saturday will tell us a lot.”
In a race where seven of the 10 acceptors are last-start winners, Champagne Cath holds an early betting call over her rivals as the $2.60 favourite.
It’s an assessment that might surprise Waller, given his insight into the foundation work for Champagne Cath’s return.
“I haven’t really let her go yet,” he said. “She’s had two quiet trials and on Saturday she’ll be put under pressure for the first time this preparation.”
Besides being top heavy with recent winning form lines, the three-year-old race also includes Windjammer, a Golden Slipper runner, and the fleet-footed Certitude.
Waller will start the defence of his Sydney trainers’ premiership with 13 Rosehill acceptors in seven races.
