Age has been a significant advantage for Shadhavar, who added another Stakes race to her already impressive record with a determined victory in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Following a campaign last preparation that saw Shadhavar successful at Listed level across two starts, the mare has continued her upward trend with another black-type win.
It was exactly one year ago that Shadhavar was defeated in a Benchmark 74 race at the same meeting, but the Pride Of Dubai filly has now achieved six wins from 15 starts, amassing over $400,000 in prize money.
Sent off as the $5 favourite with Craig Williams in the saddle, Shadhavar claimed a short-neck win over Persian Spirit ($10), with Recommendation ($6) a length behind in third.
Senior part-owner Joe O’Neill indicated that there would be no rush to step Shadhavar up to the 1400m journey for the Group 1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on August 29.
He suggested that the Group 3 Courtza Stakes (1200m), which is also on the same program, would likely be a more suitable contest.
“She’s a very good mare and she’s improving all the time,” O’Neill stated. “Who knows where she may finish, as it is just the start of her preparation.”
“The Courtza Stakes is in two weeks’ time, and I would like to win that. I think we will keep her sprinting as you can go up in distance too quickly and have a gut-buster and it is a long way to Flemington.”
O’Neill commended trainer Tom Dabernig for his excellent work with Shadhavar, and anticipates a campaign that he hopes will conclude at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
“The Champions Sprint,” O’Neill enthused. “I think she’s a sprinter, and that’s the thing, people tend to push horses sometime and push them out in distance. Keep her fresh, keep her happy, so it’s very good.”.
Considering the mare’s current form, backing her to win the Regal Roller Stakes through racing odds could be a prudent choice.