Big-race specialist Glen Boss pulled the right rein when he elected to ride Shamrocker who raced away with Saturday’s Group One Australian Guineas at Flemington.
The Danny O’Brien-trained filly won last year’s VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes and was second to Brazilian Pulse in the VRC Oaks before being spelled.
Boss had been the recent regular rider of Guineas fancy Enjin Number Nine but jumped ship after he finished fourth as favourite in the CS Hayes Stake two weeks ago.
“He disappointed me last start,” Boss said.
“It was nice of Danny to put me back on. She’s got a very good prep ahead of her.”
The $750,000 Australian Guineas (1600m) was only Shamrocker’s second start this campaign after she resumed with a solid fourth to Southern Speed in The Vanity (1400m) at Flemington on February 19.
“She’s a very good filly,” O’Brien said.
“She loves the big track here and Glen rode her enormous.
“She’s heading towards the AJC Oaks.”
The Group One AJC Australian Oaks (2400m) is at Randwick on April 16.
Boss gave Shamrocker time to find her feet and improved her position to be ready to pounce as the field turned for home.
She took the lead at the 300m mark and bounded clear, having too much in hand for runner-up Bullbars and third-placed Playing God.
AAP TURF
