Trainer Tom Dabernig has opted to give promising filly Shadhavar one more run against her own age rather than stepping her up to Stakes grade just yet. While she had been nominated for the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield, Dabernig decided she would be better placed in Saturday’s Tobin Brothers Celebrating Lives Handicap (1100m).

“It’s her final chance to race against her own age before she turns four,” Dabernig explained. “There will still be options for her early in the new season if we want to try her at Stakes level against mares.”

Shadhavar will be second-up this weekend after finishing fifth over the same track and distance on July 12. Dabernig admitted to initially being underwhelmed with that run but, after reviewing it closely, believes there was more merit to the performance than first thought.

“There was a fair bit of hype going into that first-up run, and she went around as favourite,” he said. “But when I analysed it, the top four finishers had all had runs and were race-fit. We were right in contention until the last 100 metres, and she just didn’t finish off. I’m confident she’ll be better for the outing.”

Dabernig noted that Shadhavar has a history of needing a race under her belt to produce her best despite trialling strongly. “Trials are beneficial, but they lack race-day pressure. She has always improved significantly after her first run back,” he said.

With added fitness and a favourable barrier, Dabernig expects Shadhavar to be competitive on Saturday. John Allen, who partnered her first-up, retains the ride for the assignment. Punters can find odds and markets for the race via leading betting sites.