Lady Shenandoah made an emphatic statement in the Light Fingers Stakes at Randwick, dominating the field and setting up a potential showdown with her unbeaten stablemate, Autumn Glow.
Despite the winning margin of just 1-1/4 lengths over Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot, her ease in the finish suggested she had plenty left in reserve.
Jockey Zac Lloyd, who guided the $2.40 favourite to victory with betting sites, was full of praise for the Chris Waller-trained filly, highlighting her effortless speed and natural ability.
“You don’t get that feeling often. She is a pleasure to ride and it’s an honour to ride these types of horses for Mr Waller,” Lloyd said.
“In her second trial, Mr Waller said, ‘close to a speeding ticket there,’ but she just does it so easily, you don’t really know how fast you’re going.
“She just glides over the ground. She’s got the most efficient action. She came around that bend and you just feel like it’s ‘game over.’ She is a very nice filly.”
Having secured the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) last spring, Lady Shenandoah will now set her sights on the Surround Stakes (1400m) at Randwick in two weeks.
Her stablemate, Autumn Glow, is still on track for the same race, though Waller’s assistant trainer, Charlie Duckworth, admitted they were racing the clock to get her there. A crucial trial this week will determine her fitness.
Duckworth refrained from speculating on which filly was the stable’s best chance.
“It’s very hard to work out exactly how they measure up against each other until they face each other,” he said.
“She (Lady Shenandoah) is obviously an incredible athlete and was aided by an absolutely stunning ride by Zac. He got her in a beautiful position from what could have been a slightly sticky draw, and she has gone about her business beautifully and has accelerated.
“Lady Of Camelot is no slouch to try and run past in the concluding stages, and she seems to have done it with a bit in hand.
“She gets up over a lot further than the 1200, so to do it first-up, she is going to take a world of beating next start.”
Waller also had three other runners—Lazzura (fourth), Amelita (sixth), and Declichy Boulevard (seventh)—all of whom remain on track for the Surround Stakes.
Meanwhile, in the Triscay Stakes (1200m), Godolphin’s Inhibitions ($13) took advantage of a dream run to claim victory over the previously unbeaten Clear Thinking ($4 fav) and stablemate Commemorative ($4.40).
Trainer James Cummings, who was at Flemington to watch Traffic Warden contest the Lightning Stakes, was optimistic about his fillies’ futures.
“It’s a good result for the farm. Both mares in the race are stakes winners, but I’ve got a feeling there’s a little bit more ahead of both of them,” Cummings said.
