Consistent filly Champagne Cuddles is unlikely to back up from Saturday’s Gold Coast Guineas in the Doomben 10,000 but will still get her chance at Group One glory during the Queensland winter carnival.
Champagne Cuddles will be having her first start since an unlucky but impressive spring carnival when she runs in Saturday’s Group Three Gold Coast Guineas (1200m).
Her two runs before a spell produced seconds in the Group One Golden Rose and Group One Flight Stakes behind stars Trapeze Artist and Alizee respectively.
She has had two trials for her comeback, winning the latest in good fashion.
Trainer Bjorn Baker has a high enough opinion of the filly to have nominated her for the Group One 10,000 on Saturday week and the Group One Stradbroke Handicap on June 9.
Baker’s racing manager Jack Bruce said it was highly unlikely Champagne Cuddles would run in the 10,000.
“We mainly entered her in case there was a thunderstorm on Saturday and she missed a run,” Bruce said.
“The Stradbroke is worth a lot of money and three-year-olds have a very good record in it. So it is the more likely race.
“Of course there is also the Tatt’s Tiara which is Group One at the end of the carnival.”
Bruce said the stable would wait until after the Guineas to finalise the filly’s campaign.
“She has had a long time off and it will be a case of her telling us what she is capable of,” he said.
“We can always come back a peg or two.”
Baker has had a lot of success in Queensland with his two biggest wins the 2014 Magic Millions 2YO Classic with Unencumbered and the 2016 Doomben 10,000 with Music Magnate.
