Cockram Stakes kick off for Papillon Club

Trainer Greg Eurell says Papillon Club faces a big jump in class as she heads to Caulfield for her first start in mares’ company.

Papillon Club kicks off her spring campaign in the Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) on Saturday on a path Eurell hopes will lead to a Group 1 contest later in the spring.

The Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) for fillies and mares at Flemington on the opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival is the ultimate spring goal for Papillon Club, but Eurell said the daughter of Toronado must first earn her way there.

Papillon Club has so far shown she is above average winning three of her six starts and filling a place in her other three outings.

After three starts, in which she registered two wins, Papillon Club was sent to Stakes company, finishing in the placings twice before winning the Group 3 Alexandra Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley in March.

Papillon Club was sent for a break following that race and according to Eurell returns on Saturday in outstanding order.

“She had a really good spell and when she came back in, she looked enormous,” Eurell said.

“It’s a big leap from three-year-old fillies to racing older mares, especially in that grade, so she has the job ahead of her, but at this stage she’s given us every bit of confidence that she can get there.

“She worked super on Tuesday, and I couldn’t be happier with how she has come up this campaign.

“She’s got a nice gate, and the rest will be up to her on Saturday.”

Eurell concedes the opposition may be a bit sharper than Papillon Club on Saturday, but she will come into her own as the races get longer.

While the Empire Rose is the goal at this stage of Papillon Club’s preparation, Eurell said there was plenty of other options if he felt the mare was not going to measure up.

“You hope to get there,” Eurell said.

“But there are a few good options on the way through, so we’ll have a fair guide before that point.”