Six years after his sire Contributer won a Group One race for trainer John O’Shea on the Golden Slipper program, Lion’s Roar will be striving to do the same.
John O’Shea is hoping it will be a case of like father, like son when Lion’s Roar chases a Group One, 2000 metre target on Golden Slipper day.
The three-year-old will bid to add Saturday’s Rosehill Guineas to his victory in the Randwick classic, six years after his sire Contributer – who O’Shea also trained – won the Ranvet Stakes over the same course and distance on the corresponding program.
“We can only hope,” O’Shea said.
“I’m happy with where we’re at. I wouldn’t change anything and the horse is in good order so hopefully that reflects on the field on Saturday.”
Lion’s Roar has drawn awkwardly in barrier 12 and is an $8 chance in pre-post markets which have Mo’Unga, who was a luckless second in the Randwick Guineas, as a clear-cut $2.80 favourite.
Montefilia downed Lion’s Roar in the Spring Champion Stakes and is also highly regarded at $6.50 with Victorian Grandslam ($8) the only other runner under double-figure odds.
Given Mo’unga’s good draw in barrier six, O’Shea figures bookmakers have made the right market assessments.
“Mo’unga looks to have drawn to get a very good run in the race,” O’Shea said.
“The filly beat our bloke last year so the formlines all tie in. I thought her run first up was fantastic in a race that has punched out a good few winners.”
O’Shea is looking for an improved run from Rondinella as she continues her march towards the Sydney Cup in the Epona Stakes (1900m).
“She is looking for a mile-and-a-half and a tough-run 1900 on Saturday is right up her alley,” O’Shea said.
Written by Mandy Cottell
