Cantiamo's impressive win creates dilemma for trainer Lees
Trainer Kris Lees continues to back Randwick conqueror Cantiamo for another attempt against stakes rivals, although decisions on the precise timing and venue could shift.
Originally, Lees eyed the Listed Denise's Joy Stakes (1100m) next month at Scone, but the style of the filly's triumph in Saturday's The Third Australian General Hospital Handicap has caused him to reflect.
For much of the straight, Cantiamo was held up behind the field, emerging into clear running room with 100m remaining and making full use of the 1200m trip to surge through a late split courtesy of Jason Collett to win.
"It's good to get a Saturday win with her. She's a really nice filly," Lees said.
"It was a good win. I didn't think she was going to win at the furlong (200m), but she got a lovely run through from Jason and she got there on the line.
"Going into the race, we were thinking of going back to 1100 for the Denise's Joy, so we'll just have to have a chat to Jase and see which path we take.
"She is certainly up to stakes company. We'll see when we get there."
Cantiamo has secured four wins from her eight career starts and performed creditably in the Group 3 P J Bell Stakes (1200m) on her prior run, going down by only two lengths to Plaintiff.
According to Collett, things deviated from the script in Saturday's contest as the filly missed the start, yet her recovery spoke to her class above the opposition.
"I just needed a bit of luck. Jellicious didn't take me as far as I needed, and thankfully a split opened up at the furlong marker," Collett said.
"She settled better today. She was very keen last start, but today she was more even, which I think is a sign she could get a bit further.
"She was good late. She needed to quicken and do it in a short amount of time, and it was a good effort."
The $2.70 favourite Cantiamo got home by a head over the $10 chance Ernaux, with $6 shot Spice Baby sticking on gamely for third a further short head behind.
Check out online bookmakers for the best betting markets on Cantiamo's upcoming stakes challenge.
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