A narrow but impressive debut win by two-year-old Segregation at Caulfield has continued the solid start for John O’Shea as head trainer of Darley Australia.
Segregation firmed from $6.50 to $4.40 and let down strongly after sitting outside the lead to win Saturday’s ALH Group Plate (1200m).
But the colt was forced to keep finding all the way to the line as fellow debutant Lucky Generation ($5) chased gamely to get within a half neck.
Segregation winning the ALH Group Plate at Caulfield ridden by Steven Arnold and trained by John O'Shea - (photo by Steven Dowden/Race Horse Photos Australia)
The pair cleared out to beat third-placed Mossbeat ($4.60) by 2-1/2 lengths, indicating both have nice futures.
“I actually thought I put paid to them at the furlong (200m),” Segregation’s jockey Steven Arnold said.
“So the second horse has done a good job to run us to a close margin, because I thought we quickened well.”
O’Shea brought up a winner with his first Melbourne starter for Darley last Wednesday week at Sandown.
Cameo won Friday’s Listed Scone Cup to give O’Shea his first stakes winner for Sheikh Mohammed’s operation and Melbourne foreman David Charles said the transition had been smooth.
“We could not be happier with the way things have progressed so far,” Charles said.
Segregation is expected to appreciate longer distances in future and Charles says O’Shea and Darley bloodstock manager Jason Walsh will discuss where the colt heads next.
He believes the future looks bright for the son of Shamardal.
“We probably would have liked him to be back with a little bit of cover but Steven took the initiative to go forward and sit outside the lead and he was strong at the end which was really encouraging for the future,” Charles said.
James Winks was also taken by the performance of Lucky Generation.
“He’s still learning his craft but he’s going to be a very nice horse,” Winks said.
