Extra distance to help Schweida pair

Trainer Kelly Schweida hopes an increase in distance can help three-year-olds Cellargirl and Shogun Sun overcome a current advantage for front runners at Doomben.

Cellargirl and Shogun Sun both performed well in the Sydney spring carnival and Schweida elected to ease them with the Brisbane summer in mind.

They resumed in the Listed Gold Edition Plate (1200m) at Doomben two weeks ago with Shogun Sun a fast-finishing third and Cellargirl an unlucky sixth.

The pair step up to 1350m in the Group Three Vo Rogue Plate On Saturday as their lead-up to the Magic Millions Guineas on January 13.

Schweida has made it clear the racing pattern, which mainly suits horses who race on the pace, at Doomben doesn’t suit either horse.

“But that’s what we have at the moment and we have to make the best of it. The 1350 metres should suit them both better than 1200 at this stage,” Schweida said.

Michael Walker returns to take the ride on Cellargirl, who was Group One placed in Sydney during the spring, while Damian Browne will ride Shogun Sun, a Randwick winner in August.

Cellargirl is safely in the field for the $2 million Magic Millions Guineas at fifth on the order of entry but Shogun Sun is on 20.

Any prize money on Saturday should get him into the field.