Racing: Twilight Savings books a return ticket

Twilight Savings came close to guaranteeing her return to Christchurch in six months with her dominating Selwyn River Stud Champagne Stakes victory at Riccarton on Saturday.

It was the weekend's most comprehensive win.

Cambridge co-trainer Murray Baker knows it's only partial compensation for what might have been had the athletic filly not been flattened by a virus during the main part of the season.

Twilight Savings could easily have been beaten on Saturday after being jammed in behind the leaders on the rail at the 350m.

"That was my fault," said Baker yesterday.

"I told her [Kelly Myers] to try and get her cover coming across the crossing, because you often see 2-year-olds start to wander when they're left alone on the Riccarton crossing.

"She got her cover, but then couldn't get out when she needed to."

Myers had no option but to pull Twilight Savings across the heels off a line of three horses disputing the lead.

The classy filly lost considerable momentum, but quickly put paid to the others once balanced again.

She was simply in a different class to the rest.

The group one 1000 Guineas might be half a year away, but Saturday's effort was close to as good a trial as you could hope for.

If all the luck had gone her way, Twilight Savings' 1-length margin would have been closer to six lengths.

Baker bought Twilight Savings for $20,000 at the premier session at Karaka last year after she had been passed in the ring.

The Baker stable won four races between Rotorua and Riccarton - Singa Lass, Changingtheguard and Liquore at Rotorua.

Compensate was beaten a long head by a very smart type in Bilpin Boy, and Mangaroa Lad looked unlucky in coming from second last into fourth after landing awkwardly out of the starting stalls.

Vickezzchardonnay finished fourth in the Rotorua Cup after hitting her now well known flat spot around the 800m.

"She does it almost every start," said Baker, who is looking to take Vickezzchardonnay to Brisbane for the carnival.

"We've got a slight issue, though, because she has to be ridden very aggressively through that flat spot before she will start rolling again and I'm wondering how that's going to be affected by the new whip rules in Australia."

Australia's whip rules are now much more stringent than those in New Zealand and have been the centre of plenty of controversy in recent months.

Vickezzchardonnay ran on strongly in the closing stages to finish fourth.

"Matt Cameron said she needs even more ground than that 2200m," said Baker. Vickezzchardonnay will be aimed at the Tatts Cup, Brisbane Cup and Queensland Cup.