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Can Cellarmaid live up to family pedigree?

22 October 2019

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By Glenn Davis

Trainer Kelly Schweida hopes talented filly Cellarmaid can live up to her family pedigree with another win in the QTIS Three-Year-old Handicap at Doomben on Wednesday.

Cellarmaid will have only six opponents as she bids to repeat her 1350-metre Maiden win against her own sex at Doomben on October 7.

The daughter of Husson was an $80,000 buy at the Tasmania yearling sales and is eligible for the $2 million Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast in January.

Cellarmaid is a half-sister to the former Schweida-trained Cellargirl who was a Stakes winner and ran third to Alizee and Champagne Cuddles in the 2017 Group One Flight Stakes.

She also is a younger half-sister to the Chris Waller-trained Cellarman, an eight times-winner including the Listed Wintergarden Stakes at Eagle Farm in 2016 and Group 3 Doncaster Prelude at Randwick in 2018.

“I trained her older half-sister Cellargirl and she’s a different type to this filly,” Schweida said.

“One is more precocious while the other is more laid back.

“Cellarmaid is tall and very immature and she did everything wrong when she won last time.

“She’s a long way off it right now but it’s our dream to get her into the Magic Millions Guineas.

“She does a lot of things wrong but she’s still learning her craft.”

Cellarmaid is one of four runners Schweida has entered for Doomben.

Schweida also is hopeful of strong performances from first starter Validar in the Gallopers Sports Club Maiden Plate, Victory Liner (BRC Spring Racing Carnival Maiden Plate) and Duchess Dashalot in the Kirin Ratings Band 0-70 Handicap.

Victory Liner has drawn well in barrier two and is coming off a last start third to the Tony Gollan-trained Purroni in a Maiden Handicap (1200m) at Ipswich on October 9 while Duchess Dashalot drew gate 10.

“Validar is well bred but I think he’ll be better over further ground and his trials have been only fair,” Schweida said.

“Victory Liner has been very consistent but she needs to start winning.

“She disappointed second up after a long break and needs to pick up her form a bit more."

Duchess Dashalot won at Ipswich and the Sunshine Coast before a last start second to the Matt Dunn-trained Saxton Rock in a 1350-metre Class Three at Ipswich on October 2.

“Her last run was very good when she had to go back after they walked in front,” he said.

“She’d appreciate a softer track but unfortunately she’s not drawn well.”

Racing Queensland webnews  October 22