Tiara set to dazzle
HAVING knocked on the door a bundle of times in the past 12 months, Prompt Response and Champagne Cuddles are poised to set the record straight in today’s Tattersall’s Club Tiara at Doomben.
The Tiara field features the Group 1 winners Miss Wilson, Daysee Doom, Shillelagh and Volpe Veloce, along with another six gals who have placed at the highest level.
Champagne Cuddles has run in four Group 1s to date, compiling two seconds and two thirds. Prompt Response’s Group 1 scorecard comprises two seconds – including this race last year – along with another two times where she’s been beaten less than a length.
Bjorn Baker says he “wouldn’t swap Champagne Cuddles for any other runner”, while Prompt Response’s co-trainer Adrian Bott says the four-year-old has served her apprenticeship and from a good gate, gets the chance to shine today.
“If there’s a mare deserving of a Group 1, I really think she’s one of the more suitable candidates,” Bott said. “She’s been ultra-consistent, she’s raced in the top grade ever since her debut and always been around the mark.’’
Prompt Response endured a torrid run when second under 59kg in the Dane Ripper, but Bott said she has come through the race unscathed.
“I thought she came through it remarkably well because it was a big run firstup off the little freshen up and I thought her work on Tuesday morning confirmed that,” he said.
Baker said he’s pleased to be getting Champagne Cuddles back on to a good surface today.
“Her work on Tuesday was excellent, she’s in good order and I wouldn’t swap her for anything going into the race, but I do concede it’s a race with a lot of depth, that’s for sure,’’ he said.
“It’s as good a Group 1 race as you would ever see at this time of year.
“We’ve got a good gate again, which is going to be important back on top of the ground. I’d hate to be drawn out 10 or worse.”