Trainer David Pfieffer is resigned to saddling up Cradle Me for the last time in the Group One Tattersall’s Tiara at Eagle Farm.
And the mare has a couple of things in her favour to go out a winner on Saturday with barrier four and Hong Kong-based Australian Zac Purton to ride.
A rising eight-year-old, Cradle Me has been in career-best form this winter, running second in the Group Three Glenlogan Park Stakes and winning the Group Two Dane Ripper Stakes at her next start.
The Dane Ripper win was an immediate return for Cradle Me’s new owners, Aquis Farm, who paid $300,000 for her at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale earlier this month.
Cradle Me cost her original owners $28,5000, returning $563,000 before putting $120,000 in the Aquis coffers with her Dane Ripper win.
Hong Kong-owned Aquis Farm has made a decision to be a major player in the Australian market from a base at Canungra in the Gold Coast hinterland.
Aquis has been a strong buyer in the yearling, tried horse, sire and broodmare market, recently picking up a controlling share in young sire Spill The Beans.
Cradle Me had raced so well for Pfieffer, winning 11 races, Aquis decided to leave her with the Warwick Farm trainer.
Pfieffer said he wasn’t aware if the Tatt’s Tiara would be Cradle Me’s final race start but would not be shocked if it was.
“Let’s face it she will be an eight-year-old mare and after the Tiara there isn’t a lot around for her,” Pfieffer said.
“She is racing so well it would be a pity to see her go but Aquis obviously bought her as a breeding proposition and it is up to them.”
Pfieffer said Cradle Me was ready to run another top race on Saturday.
“She has pleased me this week and we will just need a little bit of luck. It would be great for her to go out a Group One winner,” he said.
“It was a real boost when Zac got a clearance to return to ride on Saturday. His ride to win the Dane Ripper showed what a top jockey he really is.
“You need Group One jockeys to win Group One races.”
The Tiara field fell away to 16 runners after trainers Chris Waller (Tsaritsa) and Kevin Kemp (Sold For Song) elected to run the three-year-old fillies in the Daybreak Lover Stakes against their own age.
Azkadellia is the $2.40 favourite ahead of Danish Twist at $5.50, Precious Gem $7.50 and Cradle Me $8.50.
