The benefit of age is clearly evident in Shadhavar, who added another Stakes victory to her impressive record with a hard-fought win in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield this past Saturday.
Following a campaign last preparation that saw Shadhavar achieve Listed race success across two starts, the mare has continued her development with yet another black-type triumph.
It was precisely one year ago that Shadhavar finished unplaced in a Benchmark 74 race at the corresponding meeting. However, the Pride Of Dubai filly has now recorded six wins from 15 career starts, accumulating in excess of $400,000 in prize money.
Sent off as the $5 favourite with Craig Williams in the jockey silks, Shadhavar managed to secure a short-neck victory over Persian Spirit ($10). Recommendation ($6) claimed the third position, a length behind the runner-up.
Senior part-owner Joe O’Neill stated that there would be no immediate plans to extend Shadhavar to the 1400m trip for the Group 1 Memsie Stakes, which is scheduled to take place at Caulfield on August 29.
He suggested that the Group 3 Courtza Stakes (1200m), also scheduled for the same race day, would likely be a more suitable objective.
“She’s a very good mare and she’s improving all the time,” O’Neill commented. “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 praised trainer Tom Dabernig for his outstanding management of Shadhavar, outlining a campaign strategy that he hopes will culminate at Flemington during the prestigious Melbourne Cup Carnival.
“The Champions Sprint,” O’Neill proclaimed. “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.”.
Given the mare’s current form, placing a wager on her victory in the Regal Roller Stakes via online bookmakers presents an appealing option.