The Oakleigh Plate is a Group One target for stakes winning sprinter Shiraz, but that will hinge on the weather.
The Tony McEvoy-trained Shiraz has won 10 of his 17 starts with his latest campaign netting four wins from six starts including the Group Three Aurie’s Star Handicap in Melbourne and the Group Three Concorde Stakes in Sydney.
He hasn’t started since finishing at the tail of the six-horse field in the Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield in October on a firm track which is not his favourite surface.
“He’s back in work and he’s well,” McEvoy said.
“We’ll probably look at the Oakleigh Plate as a first goal but he won’t run if the ground is too firm.
“I’m not sure about whether it’s the right time of the year. The autumn in Melbourne can be firm and he won’t run on firm ground.
“So he’ll go where the rain is.”
The Oakleigh Plate (1100m) on February 27 is on the same program as the $1 million Group One Blue Diamond Stakes for two-year-olds.
The McEvoy-trained filly Concealer, winner of the Group Three Emirates Airline Plate on debut in November, is in work and being aimed at the juvenile feature.
“We’ll give her a go for the Blue Diamond,” McEvoy said.
“She had a nice little break and she loved it.”
The highly talented Alpine Eagle had his spring campaign cut short when he cracked a pedal bone in early October, but the four-year-old has recovered well and is back in light work.
“His X-rays were clear when we did them last Friday week so I’m really pleased with the progress he’s made,” McEvoy said.
“He’s just back into some light work now and then we’ll ramp it up in about three or four weeks time.”
