By Glenn Davis
Trainer David Vandyke will continue to monitor Baccarat Baby before deciding if the talented filly starts in the Group 3 Sunshine Coast Guineas on Saturday.
Baccarat Baby is a $3.10 favourite in early TAB markets for the 1600-metre feature and will have her second run in a week if given the green light to start.
The daughter of Casino Prince disappointed but had some excuses when she finished in front of only four runners behind Invincibella in last week’s Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara at Eagle Farm.
Although beaten less than four lengths, her Tatt’s Tiara run paled compared to her previous second to the Chris Waller-trained Kolding in the Group 2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 8.
“She’s drawn a bit awkwardly in barrier 13 for the Caloundra Guineas but at least it’s better than 16 which she had in the Tatt’s Tiara,” Vandyke said.
“This is a big step down in class and there’s a 70 per cent chance she’ll start.
“She covered a lot of ground in the Tatt’s Tiara and faced the breeze the whole way.
“It wasn’t a great run but it was a big step up in grade for her.”
Vandyke will wait as long as possible before deciding if Baccarat Baby will start.
“I’m still keeping a close watch on her following her Tatt’s Tiara run and if she shows any signs that she hasn’t fully recovered then she’ll go to the paddock,” he said.
“Either way, she’ll still go to the paddock next week for a decent break.”
Vandyke set Baccarat Baby for the Brisbane winter carnival after her fifth in the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick last September.
“She’s had a wonderful preparation and I’m very proud of her,” Vandyke said.
“We started this campaign with her looking for Black-Type and she’s done that multiple times.
“She won a Listed Race and was placed twice in Group races in the Fred Best and Queensland Guineas.
“She’s been in work a long time but she’s coped well and she’ll be hard to beat if she runs.”
Vandyke rates Baccarat Baby’s former stablemate Asharani, who is now trained by Kris Lees and Junipal from the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable as the main dangers.
“Asharani is a very good filly and has been racing well and Junipal look our biggest threats,” he said.
“But my filly has had three starts at the Sunshine Coast and has won them all.”
Vandyke is not concerned with a rain-affected track with Baccarat Baby as she’s had two wins from three starts on heavy going.
Racing Queensland webnews June 27