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Jockey Stephen Baster is confident Chinchilla Rose has a Group One win in her and believes it could be as soon as Saturday's Winter Stakes at Eagle Farm.
Jockey Stephen Baster is confident Chinchilla Rose has a Group One win in her and believes it could be as soon as Saturday's Winter Stakes at Eagle Farm.
Already a dual Group Two winner this campaign, Chinchilla Rose was outstanding last start when she gave away an impossible start and was beaten just 1-1/2 lengths when fifth to Mr Baritone in the Group One Stradbroke Hcp (1400m).
Baster said that at one point in the race he feared the three-year-old filly was in grave trouble but marvelled at her effort to storm home from as far back as third last in the 20-horse field.
"I thought there was something amiss to be honest because she just couldn't go at all early," Baster said.
"The track was slow but really choppy and she just didn't handle it so she did a really good job to finish as close as she did."
Chinchilla Rose has always promised a lot and as a two-year-old was beaten just over two lengths when seventh to Forensics in the Golden Slipper.
Last spring she struggled against some of the best three-year-olds in Melbourne but since returning from Danny O'Brien's Flemington yard to her original trainer Steele Ryan at Deagon her form has been consistent.
The Stradbroke was her biggest losing margin in seven starts this campaign.
She won the Group Two Surround Stakes at Randwick on March 22 and her victory over Black Ink in the QTC Cup (1300m) confirmed her emergence as a top class sprinter.
"Back to the fillies and mares this week there would be no shortage of jockeys wanting to be on," Baster said.
"She is a very good filly and you would definitely think there is a Group One in her.
"Hopefully this week will be it but I think she will improve again next campaign.
"She is still a little bit immature and she will go for a break after this and come back better in the spring."
The Winter Stakes (1400m) is the final Group One race of the current season and has attracted 26 nominations.
O'Brien has entered Stradbroke Handicap fourth placegetter Absolut Glam and Juste Momente who will be chasing her second elite victory after claiming the Robert Sangster Stakes in Adelaide three starts ago.
Vormista, who stretched Apache Cat in the BTC Cup last month, is also in the mix along with the Kris Lees-trained trio of Absolutelyfabulous, Fritz's Princess and Litter.
