Champagne Cuddles will make a surprise G1 debut in the Golden Rose
Champagne Cuddles has to prove she hasn’t gone flat when she makes a surprise Group One debut in the Golden Rose.
Initially the promising filly was scheduled to race in elite company in the Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 30, but trainer Bjorn Baker has fast-tracked the three-year-old to Saturday’s $1 million feature Golden Rose at Rosehill.
“It was a last minute decision,” Baker said.
The field of 14 was finalised on Tuesday and Champagne Cuddles joins Formality as the only fillies in the race.
Champagne Cuddles has been placed twice behind Formality in the Silver Shadow Stakes on August 19 and Furious Stakes two weeks later.
She has to handle a seven-day back-up for the first time in her five-race career after tackling the Golden Rose distance for the first time at Randwick in the Tea Rose.
Her 1-1/4 length second to Alizee in the Group Two Tea Rose Stakes and her post-race recovery, convinced Baker to test Champagne Cuddles again over 1400-metres.
“We didn’t expect to back up but she’s in good order. She’s come through that run well. She’s got a great constitution,” Baker said.
“It’s her first chance at a seven-day back-up but if there’s one horse that can do it, she will.
“She’s been over the the trip and she’s got a reasonable gate (8). It’s probably nice in a big field to not be too far out.”
Baker said the Flight Stakes was still on the agenda a week later, provided Champagne Cuddles bounced back from her toughest assignment.
“That would make it (racing) three weeks in a row, though it’s one step at a time,” he said.
While Baker was happy with the barrier allocation, Golden Rose favourite Menari has drawn awkwardly in barrier 11.
Second-elect Pariah, one of three runners for trainers Peter and Paul Snowden, is on his outside in 12.
Menari is at $2 with Pariah easing slightly to $6.50 ahead of unbeaten Melbourne colt Merchant Navy at $8 with Ladbrokes.
Godolphin, which has won the past two Golden Roses with Astern and Exosphere, will be without a runner having diverted Kementari to Melbourne to target the Caulfield Guineas 2017.
