Racehorses sprinting on a green racetrack.(File image: Martin Škeřík / Pexels)
Newy 87.8 FM – Classy mare Churchill's Choice will kick off her spring campaign at Newcastle on Friday in the Group 3 $250,000 NZB Tibbie Stakes over 1400 metres.
Trainer Nathan Doyle says the five-year-old, who won the Hawkesbury Cup earlier this year, has plenty of spring options with a Big Dance ticket already secured, but she will not contest the Epsom Handicap.
Aside from not being nominated, Doyle believes the timing isn't right, and if she does tackle a big Randwick mile it would be the $3 million Big Dance.
"The Epsom is only two weeks away, if you target an Epsom most horses would be third and fourth up into their preparation," Doyle said. "There's plenty of options and I wouldn't hesitate to take her to Melbourne either."
Churchill's Choice was runner-up in the Newcastle Stakes at the start of her autumn campaign, ran second in the Scone Cup after her Hawkesbury Cup win, and was narrowly beaten in a $500,000 mares race at Eagle Farm in June.
Doyle expects her to be a player in the finish first-up and is not putting emphasis on her two barrier trials at Gosford. "She always runs well fresh and that's always a bonus," he said.
Doyle's Group 2 winner Hidden Motive also returns this week, in the Nick Moraitis Trophy (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday.
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