Leading Hoop Plays Group One Waiting Game
- Thursday, 21 May 2015 08:22
Michael Cahill will keep his options for the Group One JJ Atkins Stakes open until after he rides Payroll in the BRC Sires' Produce Stakes at Doomben.
Cahill has made no secret of his opinion of Payroll and he flew from Brisbane to Melbourne to ride the filly when she finished close second at Caulfield on May 2.
The filly is the favourite for Saturday's Group Two race in which she runs over 1400m for the first time.
Cahill has a close association with trainer Richard Laming and his father Bevan Laming who owns a share in Payroll.
Cahill and Bevan Laming combined to win the 2005 Stradbroke Handicap with St. Basil.
"I have known the Lamings a long time and it is good they have another good horse in their stable," Cahill said.
"After she runs on Saturday I will see where she is heading before making up my mind about a ride in the JJ Atkins."
Cahill is likely to be in demand for other rides in the season's final Group One race for two-year-olds on June 6, including last start Bruce McLachlan Memorial winner Real Good.
"It was great to see Trevor Miller get a top win with Real Good and the horse will be improved," Cahill said.
"At this stage I will probably stick with Payroll but you know how two-year-olds are. So I will wait until after Saturday to make a final decision."
Payroll won her first start at Sale before an unlucky fifth in the Breeders' Stakes in Adelaide.
She was then second at Caulfield behind Black Vanquish in the Listed Throughbred Stakes before heading north.
Richard Laming said Payroll was a big filly who was not unlike Ringa Ringa Rosie who his father trained to run second to Pressday in the 2010 JJ Atkins.
The trainer also has Wednesday's Randwick winner Ashlee Marie heading to the Atkins.
