A pleasing jumpout at Moonee Valley last Friday has Matamata trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards happy that talented mare Shillelagh is on track for her quest for Australian black-type this spring.
“We’re very pleased. She just had a nice day out and the jumpout would really have brought her on,” Richards said.
“Damien Oliver rode her three-wide on speed and Steve was rapt with her run. More importantly Damien was really happy with her as well. Everything seems to be ticking over nicely with her.”
A Savabeel five-year-old mare bred and raced by Christopher and Susanna Grace, Shillelagh has won four of her six starts, most recently scoring by 3 1/4 lengths at Ruakaka in June.
Te Akau Racing has her earmarked for an Australian debut in a 1200m Benchmark Rating 84 fillies and mares race at Sandown on September 7.
“We’ll try and recoup some travel costs paid and get her rating up,” Richards said.
“Once we’re through that, we’ll give her a look at some black-type racing, which is the main reason for the trip. But the way she’s going, we couldn’t be happier with her.”
Meanwhile, Cox Plate-nominated stablemate Xtravagant enjoyed a quiet week after his jumpout at Flemington the previous week.
“He looks great. He’ll go to Moonee Valley and have a gallop with one of Lee Freedman’s when we’re ready before he kicks off in the Chandler McLeod Stakes there on September 3,” Richards said.
“Damien will ride him. He’ll have a little bit of weight which won’t make it an easy race to win but it will give him a good look around the Valley and it will be a good stepping stone to the Sir Rupert Clark Stakes [at Caulfield on October 24].
“He’s settled in really well over there. He’s eating and drinking well and his action is good – all the key indicators are really positive.”
– NZ Racing Desk
