The fifth race at Rosehill racecourse on Saturday is the Group 2 Shannon Stakes over 1500m. Gai Waterhouse trained Fat Al is the long odds on favourite for the race and is the only runner that punters currently want to back. View our Shannon Stakes tips and runner by runner preview.
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1. FAT AL
He was excellent when resuming here a fortnight ago in the G2 Theo Marks. Led on that occasion from a wide draw and fought gamely in the straight before going down narrowly to Ambidexter. He is giving them all weight here but given his record of five wins and two seconds from eight starts, rightly so. He’s the one they have to beat.
Odds: $1.35
2. ROLLING PIN
He was allowed to roll along in front when winning the G3 Cameron Handicap at his most recent start a little over a week ago. That followed fair efforts in the G2 Warwick Stakes and G3 Tramway where he was ridden back. At best when able to dictate but with Fat Al in today, he may not get that chance.
Odds: $8.00
3. OFFENDERS
Chased Rolling Pin home last start in the Cameron Hcp. That was clearly the best of the four runs he has produced this time in after a ten month spell. Drawn to get a similar run here, meets Rolling Pin 3kgs better and should now be at peak fitness.
Odds: $11.00
4. DARCI BE GOOD
Hasn’t quite delivered on the potential he showed early in his career. He is third up from a spell today after two fair runs in the G3 Tramway (beaten 2.4) and G3 Cameron Hcp (beaten 2.9). Third up last prep ran second to Mosheen on a Slow track in the Randwick Guineas, coming from well back.
Odds: $11.00
5. PANE IN THE GLASS
Was one of the leading 2yo’s of her generation and produced good form as an early 3yo however, since her second placing to Streama in the Tea Rose Stakes this time last year, she has struggled to recapture that form. Last start, second run back from a spell, she finished last of seven (beaten 5.6) behind More Joyous.
Odds: $26.00
6. UPBEAT
Won the G2 Autumn Classic in February (1800m) last prep and, wasn’t expecting much from his first up run a fortnight ago in BM 85 over 1200m, where he finished twelfth of fifteen. The step up in distance suits and he should get his chance from a good draw but just can’t see him running some of these down.
Odds: $41.00
7. ALIYANA TILDE
A mare that really came into her own last prep finishing her campaign with a third in the G1 Vinery Stakes (2000m) and second in the Australian Oaks (2400m) behind Streama. Has had two runs back this time in, the latest a pleasing effort last week in the Listed Tibbie Stakes (1400m) when closed from last to finish sixth (beaten 4.4). Will be running on but better suited in a race against her own sex.
Odds: $26.00
8. LEVI’S CHOICE
From his 21 starts thus far, he has won one – an Eagle Farm maiden on a Slow Track. His two runs back, a ninth of thirteen in Open Class and a last start fifth of eight in the G2 Theo Marks do not encourage support for him here. As far as a Group 2 races go, this one is very light on but still find it hard to see him winning this.
Odds: $51.00
OVERVIEW
Should be a big 24 hours for Gai Watehouse with Pierro in Melbourne Friday night and Fat Al here, both very short prices to win their respective Group 2 races. Just can’t go past Fat Al. He’ll lead, has a fantastic record to his credit and enough class on his side to negate the weight advantage he is giving his rivals. Rolling Pin is going well but drawn wide I don’t think will be able to cross Fat Al without leaving himself vulnerable at the end of the trip. For trifecta players, Offenders and Darci Be Good.
