Group 1 winning mare, Shillelagh, will begin her spring campaign at Rosehill tomorrow when she lines up in the Group2 Theo Marks Stakes, over 1300 metres.

The seven year old mare was runner up in the Tattersall’s Club Tiara, over1350 metres in her last start at Doomben in June, her trainer, Chris Waller, is hoping to step her up in distance this spring.

“She had a Group1 placing in Queensland, she spelled well and has come back in really good shape, we are getting really good comments consistently from her riders,” said Waller.

“Just be careful of the track, obviously she is better on a good track than a soft one, but she is in for a good preparation,” he added

“I would love to stretch her out beyond this time, I would love to get her up to 2000 metres, being a daughter Savabeel,” he added.

Group debutant favourite for Dato

Redwood gelding, Night’s Watch, will step up to Group company for the first time tomorrow in the Group 2 Dato Tan Chin Stakes over 1600 metres at Moonee Valley and bookmakers have labelled him as an early favourite for the race.

The Darren Weir trained runner has been set as a $3.50 favourite with TAB bookmakers, after an eye catching win in the Jockey Celebration Day Handicap over 1400 metres at Caulfield last Saturday.

If the gelding wins the Dato, Night’s Watch would secure a ballot exemption for several spring features, including the Caulfield Cup, which is Weir’s main target this spring for the five year old.

Night’s Watch will have to overcome a quality field, which includes dual New Zealand Horse of the Year, Bonneval, who won last year’s running of the race.