Spoils to Carry Benefit Into Chairman’s Stakes

Trainer Clinton McDonald is confident that exciting filly Spoils will carry benefit into her second-up run in Saturday’s Ladbrokes Chairman’s Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield Racecourse.

Spoils (green silks) will contest the Ladbrokes Chairman's Stakes second-up. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Spoils (green silks) will contest the Ladbrokes Chairman’s Stakes second-up. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Spoils made her 2017 return in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Preview F (1000m) on Australia Day and immediately took up the pace; maintaining well enough to finish fourth behind the likes of Limestone and Tulip.

McDonald told AAP that the daughter of Snitzel has stripped far-fitter for the run and he is anticipating she will be right in the finish of the Ladbrokes Chairman’s Stakes.

“She didn’t have a great run, just the way the race panned out,” McDonald said.

“She probably wasn’t fit enough for the run that she had and she raced a little bit fresh. This race is on a nine-day turnaround which is perfect and she has really come on from the run.

“She’s going to go out to Sandown for a gallop tomorrow and we’ll run her on Saturday.

“She was very fresh the other day and she raced fresh.

“I think she’ll be better when she gets a bit of cover, so I’m just hoping that run has taken a bit of fire out of her and hopefully she can draw a barrier and get a little bit of cover.”

McDonald confirmed that Spoils will progress to the 2017 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 25th should her run in the Chairman’s Stakes justify a berth.

“We’re going a nine-day back up and then three weeks into the Diamond,” he said.

“Obviously she would want to be impressive in her next start to justify running.”

Trialling well in the lead-up to her competitive debut, Spoils immediately stamped herself as a filly to follow with a strong performance for second in the Listed Inglis Debutant Stakes (1000m) on October 8th, in what was her only other career start prior to the Blue Diamond Preview.

Spoils will leave from the ideal barrier 4 in the Ladbrokes Chairman’s Stakes and will be partnered by in-form hoop Ben Melham.

About The Author

Jared Timms

Jared graduated with a journalism degree in 2011. He is a keen sports fan and has enjoyed many accolades for his lively writing style and comprehensive coverage of major sporting events and horse racing. Today, you can find Jared cheering on his beloved Manchester City with a beer in hand.