Robert Sangster Stakes 2018 for Shoals Next Race

A possible UK bid for Surround Stakes winner Shoals will be considered after the Anthony Freedman-trained filly races next-up in Adelaide’s 2018 Robert Sangster Stakes in May.

Shoals is likely to head to Adelaide next-up for the 2018 Robert Sangster Stakes ahead of a possible UK bid at Royal Ascot. Photo: Steve Hart.

Fastnet Rock three-year-old Shoals celebrated her second career Group 1 last time out at Randwick saluting in the recently upgraded Surround Stakes (1400m) on March 3.

Winner also of Flemington’s Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m) last November against the older mares, Shoals is unlikely to race again this Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.

Instead her Mornington-based trainer Freedman has confirmed plans to give her a further let-up ahead of a trip to Morphettville on May 5 for the Group 1 $1 million Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m).

In over 20 years, the sole Robert Sangster Stakes winner to come off a Sydney lead-up race was Miracles Of Life (2015) who improved on her Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) third.

After Adelaide, connections could be represented in England’s Royal Ascot carnival by Shoals whose overseas goal would be the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1206m) on June 24.

“We are just treading water with her at the moment,” Freedman told Racing Victoria on Monday.

“She’ll probably go to the Sangster so won’t go back to Sydney.

“We just thought Sangster was the perfect race and if she won there, I think there would be a strong push to do the UK thing.

“It’s certainly still an option.”

A host of potential Australian sprinters could have the 2018 Diamond Jubilee Stakes in sight this season including Lindsay Park’s Black Caviar Lighting – Newmarket Handicap double winner Redkirk Warrior and the three-year-old Coolmore Stud Stakes champ from the spring Merchant Navy.

The Diamond Jubilee race in England is best known down under for the win by former champion mare Black Caviar who won in 2012 in her sole international appearance.

That year Black Caviar won both the Robert Sangster Stakes as well as the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) at the same track and distance on way to the UK.

Shoals’ campaign was thrown a curveball when she had an adverse reaction to a recent injection, but Freedman said that the stable already had the Adelaide Autumn Racing Carnival in mind for the dual Group 1 winner.

“She did have an adverse reaction but that was very much secondary,” he said.

To get behind Shoals next race and for all the other upcoming Group 1 racing odds head to Ladbrokes.com.au.