Catherine Cameron scored her first Group victory as a trainer last month and she could add a Group One to her resume on Saturday at Te Rapa.
That Group win came courtesy of globetrotting galloper Cheval Prometteur in the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa last month.
“He deserved it,” Cameron said. “It wasn’t the strongest bunch but there was a bit of talk about the one that ran second (Concert Hall) and he managed to hold her off.
“That is where he is at now and he has to chip away at those bigger races.”
The Declaration Of War gelding will return to the Hamilton track this weekend in a fresh state to tackle the Gr.1 Rydges Wellington Captain Cook Stakes (1600m).
“He had an easy week off mucking around at home and around the roads and he has been really good. We are very happy with him,” Cameron said.
While initially planning to head to the Gr.3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) as a lead-in to the Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, Cameron has taken the opportunity to change tack, with the Captain Cook Stakes transferred from Trentham last weekend.
“He needs a run before the Zabeel (Gr.1, 2000m), so that (Captain Cook) works out a better option, but you would want to be going into a Group One mile at full fitness,” Cameron said.
“He was going to have a go in the 1400m sprint, just to have a run, but I think he will be more suited up to the mile, but he might get a little puffed in the finish.
“I had been keeping him on the fresh side and have stepped his work up a bit this week when we changed our plans.”
While hopeful of a bold showing this weekend, Cameron has reserved expectations heading into the Group One mile.
“He has drawn nicely (5) and he always tries hard, so hopefully he is thereabouts,” she said.
“The two weeks before the Zabeel is what we are aiming at and it would have been nice if we had more rain this week but I know they are putting plenty of water on it.
“I am not going in thinking we are a chance of winning but if we could weigh in I would be very happy.”
TAB bookmakers have installed Cheval Prometteur a $26 outsider, favouring Two Illicit ($3.50) and Aegon ($4.20).