Queensland trips on their minds

Trips to the Queensland winter carnival are up for grabs in the Group II Championship Stakes (2100m) at Ellerslie on Saturday for several of the 3-year-olds contesting the $100,000 race.

Romantic Maid is one who will seal a place on a flight to Queensland if she justifies her $4.50 favouritism. Vying with her for the favourite tag is her Roger James-trained stablemate The Hassler ($4.80).

The Cambridge stablemates met earlier this month at Pukekohe and The Hassler won in his first start since the New Zealand Derby and the previously unbeaten Romantic Maid finished fourth. James was pleased with Romantic Maid’s effort and would not be surprised to see her come out on top this weekend.

‘‘She didn’t have the best of runs and her last 50 metres was super,’’ James told NZ Racing Desk.

‘‘I think the trip on Saturday will suit her and her work has been great. She is a very good filly and I’d like to get her to Brisbane for the Doomben Roses and the Queensland Oaks. ‘‘

The desire to take Romantic Maid to Brisbane is even stronger than usual as the filly is owned by expatriate New Zealander Judi Wanless, a resident in Queensland who also bred the daughter of High Chaparral. Romantic Maid will face her first staying test on Saturday and it comes in just her fourth start.

While an Australian trip is in store for Romantic Maid James at this stage, is solely concentrating on the Championship Stakes with The Hassler.

‘‘He’s had a busy season and I just want to see how he does on Saturday before deciding what to do with him,’’ said James.

Zambezi Warrior ($6.50) from the Autridge and Richards stable has attracted interest from punters while one at longer odds is also taking money.

Rip Van Winkle colt Sonorous ($14) won impressively in a maiden 1600 at his last start ridden by experienced jockey Mark Du Plessis who takes the reins once again.

Du Plessis has been keeping close tabs on the colt riding him in recent work for Byerley Park trainers Scott Lucock and Sally Gillespie.

‘‘Mark likes him and has been riding him in training and is happy with his recent fast work,’’ Lucock said. In an ideal world we probably would have liked to have given him one more run.

‘‘Sally and I went and got our Queensland haircuts last night,’’ Lucock laughed. ‘‘So we are ready to go, now hopefully the horse can do enough for us to consider a run in the Queensland Derby.