Chris Waller has resisted the temptation of launching Lady Shenandoah’s spring campaign at Group 1 level in foreign territory, electing to keep the glamour mare in Sydney.
The three-time Group 1 winner was not among the entries for the $750,000 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley, which had been mooted as a possible starting point, and will resume in the $1 million Group 3 Concorde Stakes at Randwick.
It will be her first start at 1000m since her debut, when she finished third on a Heavy 10 track at a midweek Warwick Farm meeting, and Waller said staying at home meant there was one fewer variable for one of the most exciting horses in his stable.
“First time 1000 metres (in Stakes grade), I’d rather do it in Sydney than first time 1000 first time left-handed.
“We’ll just do one question mark instead of two question marks.”
How the daughter of Snitzel performs in the Concorde Stakes, which also counts Jimmysstar and Headwall among the entries, will determine the remainder of her campaign.
A good showing could see her head to the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on September 26 second-up before a possible tilt at The Everest, or she could step up in trip en route to the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m).
“We’ve got to be careful we’re not trying to reinvent her because she’s brilliant and she’s unbeaten in the last 12 months over 1200 (metres) to 1600,” Waller said.
“We’re really testing the boundaries, but we just saw the milers as very strong and want to give her the chance to sprint.
“Saturday will tell us a lot. If we’re completely off target we might even skip 1200 and go straight to a 1300 or something like that.”
Angel Capital is another exciting galloper of Waller’s that will resume this weekend with the son of Harry Angel entered for the $300,000 Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick and the $175,000 Listed Chautauqua Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.
At the weekend Waller was leaning towards a start in Sydney but is keen to keep his options open.
“We’re just trying to work out where he runs after that; he’s either going towards the Epsom or the Sir Rupert Clarke,” Waller said.
“If he ran in the Sir Rupert Clarke, probably next Saturday over 1200 is better lead-up at Moonee Valley but I just want to see the noms for both places.
“I think the Tramway is going to be very strong, not that I’m worried about that, but it’s set-weights-and-penalties and he’s more of a handicapper at this stage.”
Private Eye, Linebacker and Willydoit are among 21 other horses entered for the Tramway Stakes.
