Smart Kiwi filly Shez Sinsational is right on track for next month’s Queensland Oaks despite being defeated at home in New Zealand over the weekend.
Prepared by Allan Sharrock in New Plymouth, Erkaar filly Shez Sinsational lost few admirers when beaten by a mere nose as the favourite in the Energy City Ford Handicap (2000m) at Taranaki.
The pencil-line loss to the Jason Price-trained The Raconteur was a brave one considering all of her success previously had come on Dead ground and Saturday’s showdown was run on a Heavy 10 track.
“I would have liked to have seen a better track and she had a good blow after the race,” Sharrock said.
Shez Sinsational has had just eight career starts to date, boasting a consistent record of four wins and now two minor placings.
Before her last-start second, the progressive three-year-old raced into contention for the $400,000 Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 4 with a stunning six length victory over 2000m.
Sharrock was certainly not deterred by his filly’s brave efforts last weekend and was ready to head straight to Brisbane for a hit and run mission at Oaks glory.
“There was always a little bit of doubt,” Sharrock said of running Shez Sinsational in the City Ford Handicap.
“I took the option of running because it was at home.
“She’s come through it terrific.
“I just want to go straight into the Oaks.”
Shez Sinsational will travel to Brisbane on Wednesday.
“That gives me two weeks to work her constantly right-handed,” Sharrock said.
“She hasn’t been right-handed yet, but she’s a very tractable filly and I don’t expect that to be an issue.
“She’s also a very good traveller.”
The trainer confirmed he would not be giving Shez Sinsational another run before her Australian debut, preferring to keep her fresh.
“I’ve got three weeks until the Oaks so I’m comfortable at this stage,” Sharrock said.
Shez Sinsational now sits as a $14 chance in the early Queensland Oaks odds that are lead by Peter Snowden’s Divorces at $7.
Equal second favourite in the markets is the another New Zealand-trained filly, Scarlett Lady.
When about Scarlett Lady, Sharrock admitted she was likely the filly to beat come the Oaks.
“She’s a very good filly,” he said of the fellow Kiwi three-year-old.
“She’s beaten the mares and I haven’t done that (with Shez Sinsational).
“I respect her immensely.”
The Graeme and Debbie Rogerson-trained Savabeel filly Scarlett Lady is undefeated this season having won her past four starts on the trot including her latest win in the Group 2 Travis Stakes (2000m) on April 30.
Although the competition looks tough, Sharrock isn’t backing away from the challenge.
“We’ll see how we go on the day,” he said.
He also confirmed that the Queensland Oaks would be Shez Sinsational’s sole start at the Brisbane Winter Carnival and that he had no plans to back her up in the Group 2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) the Saturday after.
