Early all-in markets show God’s Window attracting solid support for the Shannon Stakes this Saturday at Rosehill. However, champion trainer Chris Waller would gladly sidestep this race for the import, not due to concerns about its prospects in the $300,000 Group 2 event, but because he sees a greater potential outcome second-up.

Waller has his sights firmly set on the following week’s $1.5 million Group 1 Epsom Handicap for the gelding and would prefer to target that 1600-metre race directly. The issue is that with a handicap of only 50kg and a low ballot position, a start is not guaranteed, meaning Waller might need to chase the ballot exemption that comes with winning Saturday’s 1500m event.

The imported son of Dubawi contested the Group 1 Derby (2414m) at Epsom as a three-year-old, but his sole Australian victory was over 1600 metres, leading Waller to believe this distance is more suitable.

“It’s funny, some of those English horses, you think they’re going to get 2000 metres,” Waller remarked. “Some of them find some speed in Australia as well, and he certainly has. His best form has been over shorter.”

The six-year-old gelding made his seasonal reappearance with a fifth placing in the Group 2 Theo Marks Quality (1300m), his first start since finishing third in the McKell Cup (2000m) on June 27. His two previous runs resulted in a win and a second placing over the Epsom Handicap course at Randwick.

God’s Window, a $51 chance in Epsom Handicap betting, is one of three Shannon Stakes entries for Waller, alongside Ahha Ahha and Kovalica. The favourite for the Shannon Stakes is Skyhook, prepared by Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou, who was a first-up winner of the Group 3 Theo Marks Quality.

Consider checking out these online bookmakers for the Shannon Stakes.