CHURCHILL Downs' controversial win in the group 2 Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday night may force a rethink on whether the country's champion filly Miss Finland will chase the $1 million Caulfield Guineas in two weeks.
Hayes said yesterday that as he now had two valuable Danehill colts — Churchill Downs and Danever — fit and ready to tackle the Guineas on October 14, he would recommend to Miss Finland's principal owner, John Messara from Arrowfield Stud, that the Golden Slipper Stakes-winner take on her own sex in the $500,000 group 1 Thousand Guineas on October 18.
"From a personal point of view, I'd rather see Miss Finland take on the fillies as I have interests in the two Danehill colts that are just coming right at the right time for the Caulfield Guineas," Hayes said. "But I'll be talking to the owners on Monday and John might want to chase the bigger prize against the colts.
"I've got no doubt she can beat the colts, but the Thousand Guineas is there for her."
Miss Finland is $2.90 favourite for the Caulfield Guineas and would probably start odds-on in the Thousand Guineas.
Churchill Downs won the Stutt Stakes on protest after stewards ruled that the first horse across the line, Magic Jet, had impeded the Hayes horse near the post. Hayes reported yesterday that Churchill Downs had pulled up well from the race in which he circled the field from the 600 metres.
Magic Jet will go to Sydney this week for Saturday's group 1 Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick but trainer Stephen Theodore may have to replace jockey Rikki Cartwright, who faces an adjourned inquiry into the Stutt Stakes. Cartwright left the course on Friday night before stewards could reopen the inquiry.
Friday night's JRA Cup winner Pavlova, who also gained the decision in the stewards room after finishing a short half-head second behind the hot favourite Spinney, is capable of making an impact in the feature cup races.
Pavlova, a half-sister to the stallion Fubu, passed the balloting clause for the Caulfield Cup, but as she has just 48 kilograms — 8.5 under the weight-for-age scale — she is equal 59th in the order of entry. Chief handicapper Greg Carpenter may penalise Pavlova for the win but even a kilogram would lift her only to equal 40th.
Trainer Cliff Brown knows Pavlova will struggle to gain a Caulfield Cup run, but is happy to try to qualify her for a Melbourne Cup start instead. He will focus on the group 2 Winning Edge Presentation Stakes (2400 metres) in two weeks at Caulfield, in which a win would qualify her for the Melbourne Cup and almost assure her of a decent Melbourne Cup penalty.
Rogan Josh came from obscurity to earn a Melbourne Cup tilt when he won the Winning Edge in 1999 and Leica Falcon also gained a start when he won the race last year.
Spinney looked set for a comfortable win when he ran to the front inside the 200 metres but only battled to the line. He is equal 26th in order for the Caulfield Cup in which he has 50.5 kilograms) down 6.5 from Friday night's run.
CAULFIELD
GUINEAS MARKET
$3 Court Command
Churchill Downs
$6
$7 Wonderful World
Danever
$8
$13 Anamato
Mearas, Excites
$15
$17 The One, Muzdaher
Enemy Of Average
$21
TAB Sportsbet
$2.90 Miss Finland 