The unpredictable Melbourne weather has forced trainer Michael Shepherdson to look towards Adelaide for his next racing engagements, with a two-horse team set to compete at Morphettville Parks.
Shepherdson, based in Geelong, will have My Zephyr running in the Mimi’s Fast Fillies Handicap (1250m) and Real Heir in the Beyond Bank Handicap (1000m) on Saturday.
My Zephyr had also been entered for the HKJC World Pool Grand Handicap (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday, but Shepherdson mentioned that the weather forecast in Melbourne was the primary reason for the shift in plans.
“It’s a much easier race over in Adelaide and there looks like there could be some rain in Melbourne on Saturday,” Shepherdson said. “She’s better on drier ground and third-up, blinkers on, we’re hoping it’s the right ingredients for her.”
He added, “She didn’t have a lot of room or a lot of luck last start at Geelong and we think third-up she’s close to her peak. We’ve left the blinkers off in her first couple and thinking third-up it might be the time to strike with them on.”
Real Heir, who recently won a maiden race at Yarra Valley, is also Adelaide-bound, with Shepherdson believing that a change of scenery will greatly benefit the gelding.
“He’s always shown good talent,” Shepherdson stated. “He’s probably typical of the Hanseatics, they’ve got plenty of speed as young horses, but they’re probably not strong, or mentally strong, and he’s needed a bit of time.”
Shepherdson continued, “He’s come back really well after a good spell. He ran well at Ballarat and pretty much dominated at Yarra Valley last start. He is a bold, strong horse, more so on the ground than riding him, and we feel a trip away will further develop him as well.”
“It’s a logical step after winning your maiden to aim for a zero to 64, and a metro race in Adelaide is a good, logical step.”
Shepherdson frequently travels from his Geelong base to Adelaide, though he did investigate suitable races at his home track for Saturday.
However, given the uncertain weather outlook, he decided that an interstate journey was the most sensible approach.
“It’s good prize money over there for the quality of horse they are,” Shepherdson commented. “You are going over to a race where there might be five or six chances, whereas you run in the same sort of quality race in Melbourne, and there will be 10 or 12 chances. It’s a good opportunity for them in something a bit easier.”
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