While the weekend’s Group 1 racing action takes place solely in Melbourne this weekend, Sydney’s Rosehill Gardens will still be host to some quality events including the Shannon Stakes 2013 for Epsom Handicap hopefuls.

High Esteem looks one of the top early chances for Saturday's 2013 Shannon Stakes. Photo: Jenny Barnes.

Nominations for the $175,000 Group 2 Shannon Stakes (1500m) have been extended until 11:00am (AEST) on Tuesday but there are currently 14 early entries.

One of the most notable of these is the Peter Moody-trained High Esteem who is rated a $31 chance to back-up and win $500,000 Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick Saturday week.

The Redoute’s Choice four-year-old comes off two seconds, the Port Adelaide Guineas winner most recently seen crossing one and a quarter lengths off Epsom favourite Toydini in the Group Cameron Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle on September 18.

Another Shannon Stakes nominee that ran well in the Cameron is the Gai Waterhouse-trained fourth placegetter Spurtonic.

Prior to the Cameron the Flying Spur gelding enjoyed three wins on the trot this time in including back-to-back victories over the 2000m at Hawkesbury and Randwick respectively.

Waterhouse has also nominated for last Saturday’s Bill Ritchie Handicap fourth placed Ashokan, Our Desert Warrior and Rain Drum giving her a strong hand in the feature.

Desert King gelding Our Desert Warrior vies for their third win on the trot following winning efforts at Canterbury and then Warwick Farm over the past month or so.

Rain Drum meanwhile is first-up here if accepted, the Wagga Cup minor placegetter having carried a hefty 59kg to victory at Rosehill over 2000m last start back in May.

Other notable Shannon Stakes hopes then include the David Payne-trained veteran eight-year-old Centennial Park, Roger James’ last start Lord Mayors Cup runner-up from May Zonza and Chris Waller’s progressive four-year-old Photon Willie who ran second at Randwick over the mile last weekend.

Check out the current Shannon Stakes 2013 nominations below and stay tuned for updates.

In the meantime why not get ready for the weekend’s racing action and check out the juicy Group 1 futures odds open right now online at Ladbrokes.com.au.

2013 Shannon Stakes Nominations

Rosehill Racecourse – 28/09/2013