Queensland Derby second emergency The Muffin Man gains start for Pakenham trainer Charlotte Littlefield

Victorian trainer Charlotte Littlefield can confirm her Saturday plans after The Muffin Man snuck into the Group 1 Queensland Derby field.

Pakenham trainer Charlotte Littlefield has locked in Saturday plans after The Muffin Man secured a start in the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) field.

Littlefield, with important starters also at Caulfield on Saturday in Big Swinger and Regal Vow, braced to sweat until 7.30am scratching time to cancel a 10am Brisbane flight.

However, the withdrawal on Friday of Eclair Encore, a second and most welcomed French-inspired irony for Littlefield in as many days, has cleared the runway for another trip to Melbourne Airport.

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Littlefield has accumulated frequent flyer points this week and kilometres behind the wheel, shuttling between Pakenham and Tullamarine.

She landed back in Melbourne last Monday, having visited father, Roger, 86, in Bordeaux, France, and went straight to Brisbane to watch The Muffin Man gallop on Tuesday.

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The scratching of Saint Emilion on Thursday gave second emergency The Muffin Man a chance to scrape into the Queensland Derby field.

“The irony, Saint-Émilion is where my parents live in Bordeaux,” Littlefield said.

“He’s fighting fit the horse, he’s in super order, his gallop (on Tuesday) was sensational.

“Everything is spot on.”

Trainer Charlotte Littlefield is desperate to get The Muffin Man into the Queensland Derby. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

The Muffin Man won a maiden three starts back at Sandown and raced consistently – albeit luckless – since with minor places at Flemington and Caulfield respectively.

“His last start he was posted wide throughout and had a tough run and to his credit he still fought on,” Littlefield said.

“If you’re a good form analyst and look at the race you go that horse has run out of his skin and should’ve won the race.

“He’s primed and ready for the 2400m.”

The Muffin Man is rated a $21 chance.

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A first Group 1 win on Saturday would cap an already milestone racing season for Littlefield after breakthrough Listed and Group 3 stakes successes.

Littlefield has saddled a personal best 26 winners from only 136 starters.

She shared a special moment a fortnight ago in Bordeaux with father Roger, cheering from afar the Pakenham winner Feeling Dusty.

“I’d never got to experience a win with my Dad… he loved it,” Littlefield said.

“He doesn’t really have any background or clue about horses, bless him, but he does follow us avidly from the computer… he tries to watch the races as much as possible.

“We got it (Pakenham race) up on the screen, I mirrored it from my phone onto the TV and he loved it, he was cheering him (Feeling Dusty) home, it was really lovely to see.”

Littlefield and company pulled up a little dusty too after a bubbly celebratory dinner.

“We got into the Crémant (sparkling wine), which is so much better and so much cheaper (than the French champagne),” Littlefield laughed.

“It was lovely to actually get to experience a win and celebrate it (with dad)… made the trip special.”

Littlefield has Regal Vow in the 1600m Benchmark at Caulfield on Saturday and Big Swinger in the 1200m 3YO Handicap.

Originally published as Queensland Derby second emergency The Muffin Man gains start for Pakenham trainer Charlotte Littlefield