John O’Shea has seen enough of More Joyous to know what a daunting task Colorado Claire faces on Saturday.
The O’Shea-trained Colorado Claire is one of eight mares that will line up against the Gai Waterhouse-trained More Joyous when the champion mare makes her return in the Listed Sheraco Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill.
More Joyous winning the Tristarc Stakes (4YO & Up Mares Set Weight (Group 2) at Caulfield - photo by Race Horse Photos Australia
More Joyous was installed the $1.30 favourite on Wednesday and O’Shea has kept a keen eye on her at early morning trackwork at Randwick.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen More Joyous look better,” O’Shea said.
“She walks past me every morning. She looks magnificent.”
Colorado Claire has won five of her eight starts including the Group Two Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill during the Sydney autumn carnival.
O’Shea said the Sheraco would be a suitable race for the lightly-raced four-year-old had it not been for the presence of eight-time Group One winner More Joyous.
Under the set weights and penalties conditions of the Sheraco Stakes, More Joyous will carry 59kg as she did when she won two years ago.
Colorado Claire gets just 1.5kg less than More Joyous and after Saturday, she is likely to head to Melbourne to avoid another clash with the star mare.
“After Saturday we’ll go to Melbourne with her to get her away from More Joyous, because More Joyous will run in the Golden Pendant as well,” O’Shea said.
The $250,000 Group Three Golden Pendant (1400m) is another fillies and mares set weights and penalties event in Sydney on September 29.
“Colorado Claire can go down to Melbourne and race down there and she’ll probably end up in the Myer Classic,” O’Shea said.
Colorado Claire was at $21 with More Joyous and Streama ($7) the only two runners under double figure odds.
As a dual Group One winner, Streama carries the same weight as More Joyous.
