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By Ray Hickson

Trainer Nathan Doyle has his sights set on a Group 1 target for unbeaten filly Churchill’s Choice but is a bit cautious about her maintaining that record when she resumes at Randwick on Saturday.

As he is with stablemate Harlem Queen, who is already Group 1 placed, Doyle is plotting a path to the Queensland Oaks with Churchill’s Choice and that journey begins in the Group 3 $250,000 Mostyncopper James H B Carr Stakes (1400m).

“I feel she is a filly that will get 2000m no dramas so we felt that it’s a nice starting point,’’ he said.

“She gets back and balances up and hits the line strongly, she couldn’t have done anything more than what she did last prep.

“She shows us she’s got stakes class ability.”

Churchill’s Choice made some giant leaps in her first preparation, starting with a maiden win at Scone in mid-November, culminating in a dominant performance over a mile at Randwick just before Christmas.

Doyle said he’s realistic about the filly’s winning chances first-up and will settle for an eye-catching late burst but he couldn’t be happier with the way she has returned.

“She always showed a bit of potential but to do what she’s done she probably has taken us by surprise,’’ he said.

Churchill's Choice wins a Scone trial on April 9

“The way she races probably shows that, she’s a relaxed filly in the early stages but when asked for more in the last bit she extends nicely.

“She’s quite athletic and I think she is forward enough to run well.

“There’s no reason to change her pattern, just let her be and get to the outside and stretch the legs late. As long as she’s hitting the line strongly I’ll be happy.”

It’s worth noting that Churchill’s Choice, $17 with TAB on Friday, was clicked up to win her latest barrier trial, at Scone on April 9.

That was by design, Doyle says.

“We gave her a 1200m trial because we wanted to go 1400m first-up with her,’’ he said.

“We wanted a nice hit out from her and she really flashed late.

“I’d rather them be unassuming and go to the races and produce rather than work well at home and go to the races and show nothing.”

Harlem Queen, the Flight Stakes runner-up from the spring, will likely race in Queensland next weekend on her way to the Oaks.

She’s had two starts this preparation and finished third in both, the latest in the Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m) on April 1.

Meanwhile, Doyle has a decision to make about whether The Extreme Cat tries his luck from a wide barrier in the Midway Handicap (1400m).

The gelding has been well beaten in two Provincial-Midway Championships Qualifiers this time in and he’ll race in blinkers when he next steps out.

“He worked well in the blinkers but he really needs to step up,’’ he said.

“He’s well within himself but he’s been disappointing.”

All the fields, form and replays for All Aged Stakes Day at Randwick