Godolphin trainer John O’Shea’s expectation Vashka would be suited to the 1400m at Caulfield has been confirmed with a front-running win in the Group Three Moonga Stakes.
And now O’Shea is looking towards Group One weight-for-age races over the same course and distance early next year for the five-year-old.
Vashka
Vashka ($8) snapped what had been a frustrating first half of Saturday’s card for Godolphin with four placings.
Favourite Under The Louvre got back from the outside gate and couldn’t bridge the gap despite running on strongly to finish half a length away second with Coronation Shallan another 1-1/2 lengths away third.
“I’ve been desperate to get him here to Caulfield over seven (furlongs) and hoped that he would run like that,” O’Shea said.
“It’s rewarding for the team to see him do it.”
O’Shea said Vaskha was set to have a break after back-to-back stakes wins, with the CF Orr Stakes and Futurity Stakes likely options.
“… we might have a little crack at a couple of those weight-for-age races when the others aren’t as ready,” O’Shea said.
