Trainer Tom Dabernig understands the CF Orr Stakes is a significant step up for Shadhavar, but he feels her recent form demands a try at the highest level.
The five-year-old mare, a daughter of Pride Of Dubai, is set to make her Group 1 debut over the 1400-metre distance at Sandown in the $1 million race this Saturday.
Shadhavar dispelled any lingering doubts about her ability to perform at 1400 metres with two decisive wins at Group level over that trip in her last two starts, which convinced Dabernig to aim for the Orr Stakes.
“It’s throwing her in the deep end, but she’s been excellent at the 1400 at her last couple of starts, so we’ll give it a go while she’s fit and in form,” he said.
Shadhavar won the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes by 2-3/4 lengths over 1400 metres on October 17, though the track conditions that day favoured horses racing on the speed.
However, her subsequent victory, a dominant 4-1/4-length romp in the Group 3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day, was achieved without the advantage of a biased track.
That win brought her record at 1400 metres to three wins and a second place, behind the quality mare Surfin’ Bird, from five starts.
The Orr Stakes will present a new challenge against established Group 1 performers such as Angel Capital, Jimmysstar, and Beiwacht, who possesses a similar racing style to Shadhavar, but Dabernig believes she will make her presence felt.
“She was impressive at Caulfield, but they were all talking about the on-pace bias, so I wasn’t sure if she could come to Flemington and lead and do it,” Dabernig commented.
“She’s always been a very good mare that we’ve kept a lot of the time at 1200.
“She’s won three now at 1400 and I think her cruising speed is what her asset is.
“She seems to be able to maintain it and get the horses under pressure behind her, but I don’t know at weight-for-age against those horses whether it’ll be quite the same.”
While Craig Williams has ridden Shadhavar for her last two victories, he will be aboard Pericles in the Orr Stakes, with Kerrin McEvoy taking the ride from barrier two at Sandown.
Check out the available racing betting markets for this exciting contest.
