There are lots of suitable stakes races for Cellargirl at the winter carnival but she’s already ticked the box that counts at Doomben.
The More Than Ready filly landed her first black-type victory in the JRA Bill Carter Stakes-LR (1200m) on Saturday. Racing first-up since the Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January, she was given the run of the race before sprinting to a two-length win under James Orman.
The Kelly Schweida-trained youngster becomes the 171st stakes winner by Vinery champion More Than Ready. “There’s plenty of upside and we will chase a few more of these races,” Schweida said. “But she’s not a big filly so we won’t overtax her this season.”
Formerly known as the Lancaster Stakes, Saturday’s event has been the launching pad for recent winners like Flippant, Missy Longstocking & Hoss Amor. “She’s a headstrong filly and wanted to bulldog to the line today,” Schweida added. “She’s got a really nice pedigree and now there’s black-type under her name, too.”
Cellargirl cost Star Thoroughbreds manager Denise Martin $90,000 from Vinery at last year’s Gold Coast Magic Millions. She’s a younger half-sister to Wintergarden Stakes-LR winner Cellarman (Mossman) and hails from the family of champion filly Triscay (Marscay).
Orman had rated Cellargirl highly after she clocked a class-record on debut at Eagle Farm in November. “The best is to come,” he declared. “She gives me goosebumps. She’s got a heart and gives her all.”
More Than Ready, who stands at Vinery for a $66,000 (inc gst) service fee, has 10 lots entered for the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale starting on Tuesday.
His colts from Vinery include a half-brother to Group 1 star Hay List (Lot 1861), a half-brother to Hong Kong stakes winner Entrapment (Lot 2180) and the colt from El Prado’s Florida stakes winner Quiet Meadow (Lot 2266).