Shane Oxlade says he can’t fault Sghirripa ahead of the Listed Durbridge Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
The Group 3 winner has been given a let-up following a disappointing three-run campaign in Melbourne during the latter part of the Spring and will now aim to target feature sprint races in his home state across Summer and Autumn.
Oxlade, who trains in partnership with daughter Cassie, said he couldn’t put his finger on why Sghirripa failed to fire last preparation.
“He certainly disappointed, there’s no doubt about that,” Oxlade said.
“I just don’t think he was interested, to be honest.
“So he’s been home and had a freshen up, had a jump out, and he’s jumped out really well.
“But I couldn’t fault him going into the other runs, I was really happy with him going into the other runs, I had no issues with him, sometimes you wish you had an excuse.”
Always a sharp trial performer, Sghirripa led throughout in a 900m heat at Strathalbyn on January 15 ahead of fellow Durbridge contender Prairie Flower, and Oxlade is hopeful that run has set him up nicely.
“We’ve got the carnival at home,” Oxlade said.
“There are races over the border that are always there, but his ratings come back a little bit now, so he’s sort of got this one at home, and then in a month’s time you’ve got the City Of Marion.
“And by then you’re starting to run into our carnival, the Irwin Stakes, the D C McKay and then into The Goodwood.
“From my point of view, it’s about getting him back to racing like I know he can and winning, that’s the main thing.
Having won the Group 3 Standish Handicap (1200m) two years ago, Oxlade is confident Sghirripa still has the ability to return to that level with the right preparation.
“He’s raced well with good gaps between runs before,” Oxlade said.
“I’m really happy with him. The horse himself is in a good place, he’s happy, so I guess we’ll know more on Saturday where he is mentally.”
Those looking to follow the Durbridge Stakes can compare current betting markets for the race ahead of Saturday’s meeting.
The post Fresh Sghirripa set for Durbridge Stakes first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
