Trainer Lee Freedman is thrilled with the condition of unbeaten filly Shoals, ahead of a Spring Carnival campaign that will be geared towards a run in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) on October 14^th.

Shoals has only made three competitive appearances at the races to date, but has more than stamped her class and ability via three impressive wins, highlighted by consecutive black type triumphs in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1200m) and Group 3 Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m) most recently.

Freedman told Racing Victoria that the Fastnet Rock filly has relished her time away from racing and a jump out at Flemington on Friday morning will determine her Spring Carnival launch pad.

“She may head to the Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday week or we might wait another week but we’ll just see how she trials,” Freedman said.

“She’s in great condition. She had a wonderful spell up at Arrowfield in Scone and we’re really looking forward to getting her back to the races.

“We looked after her during the autumn and she showed enormous talent and we’re hoping she can improve on that.

“Obviously the Thousand Guineas will be the race for her against her own age and sex, the way she knuckled down on that Heavy track at Randwick over 1200 suggests that 1400m would be no problem and it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch getting to 1600m with her.”

Shoals did not have a public barrier trial prior to making her racing debut, but she immediately stamped herself as a filly to follow with a dominant performance to win the Mangalore Park Maiden Plate (1100m) at Seymour on February 21^st, in what was her only other start prior to the Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes.

2017 Thousand Guineas nominations have been taken today, however a field and barrier draw for the feature race are not due until October 11^th.

Shoals is currently considered a $13 chance in early Thousand Guineas betting markets with leading online bookie Ladbrokes.com.au.