The G3 Cameron Hcp could be the catalyst for a Group 1 campaign ahead of Darley mare Raspberries.  

Raspberries (4m Lonhro – La Melba by Grand Lodge) will be aimed at the G1 Epsom Hcp and G1 Myer Classic after finishing strongly to win the Newcastle feature by a head on Wednesday.

The Lonhro mare has improved her own weight since returning from a winter spell.  She had won races at Kembla, Canterbury and Warwick Farm earlier this year before a runner-up finish in the G3 Adrian Knox Stakes at Randwick in April.

“If I had talked about a Group 1 for her a month ago, I would have given myself an uppercut,” trainer Peter Snowden claimed.  “The improvement she has made is phenomenal.

“I originally aimed her at the Belle Of The Turf but we might have to re-think the plan.  She might still start at Gosford but the Epsom now will be her mission with only 52kg.”

Bred by Woodlands Stud, Raspberries is the 29th stakes winner by Darley’s Australian champion Lonhro.  

Yarradale Stud owner Ron Sayers has also been following Raspberries since buying her dam La Melba.  The mare is a half-sister to the G1 winning sprinter Flavour but cost just $14,000 at the 2010 Inglis Easter broodmare sale.

Leading owner Keith Biggs topped the 2011 Yarradale Stud yearling sale when he paid $180,000 for a filly by Street Sense from La Melba.

Sayers and Biggs teamed up to stand Galileo stakes winner Discorsi at Yarradale Stud last year.  La Melba was one of 99 mares in his first book.