Rawiller picks Peggy Jean in G1 Champagne Stakes 2014

A desire to honour a commitment to Peggy Jean has prompted Nash Rawiller to stick with the filly over stablemate Bachman in the Champagne Stakes at Randwick.

Rawiller partnered both Gerald Ryan-trained horses at their previous starts when Peggy Jean claimed the Group One Sires’ Produce Stakes and Bachman the Schweppervescence.

The top jockey was given the choice of rides in Saturday’s 1600-metre Group One and in the end his decision was swayed by loyalty.

Peggy Jean - Champagne Stakes 2014
Peggy Jean – Champagne Stakes 2014

“I had a prior commitment to Peggy Jean,” Rawiller said.

“I missed her first run but I committed to her next two races. That was before she had won her Group One, she’s done that since so I’m happy to stick with her,” Rawiller said.

Peggy Jean has been part of Ryan’s stellar two-year-old team which has netted him 14 juvenile wins this season with nine different horses.

The filly resumed with a strong second to subsequent Golden Slipper placegetter Bring Me The Maid in the Magic Night Stakes before going one better in the Sires’ Produce last start.

That was over 1400m and Rawiller expects her to appreciate the rise to 1600m on Saturday.

“There’s no problem in my mind about that. She was good to the line last start and she feels like she’s still on the way up,” he said.

“Facing a better track again, that probably plays in her favour as well.

“She’s got such a nice action I’d be surprised if she wasn’t better again on a dead surface than heavy.”

A Champagne Stakes victory by Peggy Jean would bring her into calculations for two-year-old of the year honours and make her the only youngster to have won a brace of Group One races.

A field of 10 has accepted for the Champagne Stakes in which Ryan will also saddle up Lucky Raquie.

Peter Snowden will run Kumaon as he looks to land a final Group One victory for Darley before he starts a public training partnership with his son Paul next month.

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