By Ray Hickson
Well-related filly Candlewick’s shot at stakes company will have to wait until later this campaign but co-trainer Tom Charlton says she’s in order for a belated return at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
The half-sister to 2020 TAB Everest winner Classique Legend has won two of her three starts and was initially headed to Day 1 of The Star Championships but her second trial was delayed and her program reshaped.
Warwick Farm will host an eight-race card on Wednesday.Credit: Getty
Charlton, who co-trains with John O’Shea, said there are stakes races in her future but for now they’ll settle for hopefully a first-up win in the Hawaii Five Oh @ Vinery Stud Handicap (1200m).
“She was potentially going to kick off in the PJ Bell and we met with a slight setback which meant we missed the second trial at Randwick,” Charlton said.
“Nothing is firmly in the diary, we’ll get through this benchmark race and if she continues to win and run well there are options, probably more north of the border, which could suit.
“It’s realistic to feel that she could end up in black type races given what we’ve seen so far.”
Candlewick hasn’t raced since an all-the-way win over 1400m on the Kensington track back on December 6.
She had her first trial on March 10 over 1045m and Charlton said when she had to miss her second planned trial the only option was to come back to 804m for the second.
Regardless he said she’s a versatile three-year-old who can make use of barrier one and should have her chance to pick up where she left off.
“I see no reason why she couldn’t be positive and work it out as it unfolds. She’s quite adaptable in her racing pattern,” he said.
“We’ve been really happy with her, we felt through all of her racing thus far she is going to improve with time. So there’s no reason why she can’t have a bright preparation ahead.”
Stayer Awesome Wonder and middle distance gelding Jamberoo resume in the TAB Handicap (1600m) and Charlton has expectations in check for the duo’s first-up prospects.
He said the latter, who was placed in the Little Dance in the spring, is probably better suited to perform fresh.
