Baby Bling.
At the height of her powers, Baby Bling was unquestionably Australia's best mare and the talented daughter of Western Terror will begin her final racing campaign this Saturday night at Tabcorp Park Menangle. The seven year old mare will be served by Art Major this season and according to owner Harvey Kaplan will continue to race on until early in the new year.
"This will be her final racing campaign, she has been such a great mare for all of the owners but she will always be very special to me because she provided me with my first Gr. 1 as an owner," said Kaplan.
"I remember that win (2011 Australian Oaks) like it was yesterday and I can clearly remember celebrating the win with the late Kaye Kilgour and her daughter Sam which is something that I will never forget."
Baby Bling has trialled well in recent weeks but Kaplan acknowledges that there will be a lot of improvement.
"She trialled very well last week at Menangle but she will be better for the run this weekend and everything is being aimed at the Ladyship Mile which could be her final race."
"In the short term we will aim her at the Robin Dundee next month and it would be great if she could win that because that would give her automatic entry to the Ladyship Mile."
While Baby Bling will always remain special to Kaplan he is not ready to label her as his 'favourite'.
"Asking me to name my favourite horse is like asking me to pick a favourite child, but she will always be very special to me."
"No decision has been made at this stage as to what will happen with her first foal. Obviously I breed to sell but do you keep a filly and sell a colt, who knows, there is a lot of water to flow under the bridge between now and then. I just hope she goes in foal."
