An aversion to his home track is Gerald Ryan’s best explanation for Green Shadows’ disappointing recent run and the trainer is hoping a return to Randwick will spark a return to form.
Green Shadows has raced seven times at Rosehill for just two placings, both of them early in his career, and Ryan was expecting better than his last start sixth to Thunderlips at the venue last month.
“He went ordinary here the other day but he doesn’t go well any time we run him at Rosehill,” Ryan said.
“He just doesn’t go on his home track.
“He goes well at Randwick, so that might make a difference.”
Green Shadows has been accepted for Saturday’s TAB Handicap (1400m) at headquarters where he has a win and three placings from 10 runs.
He was only beaten two lengths in the Listed Civic Stakes over the course and distance two starts ago when he settled near the back from an outside gate and closed late.
Ryan said the horse had continued to please him at home and all the signs pointed to Green Shadows being in a good frame of mind.
“He has been going off on the track of a morning, pig rooting and squealing and bucking and that’s the way he has to be,” he said.
“Track conditions won’t worry him either. He has won in the heavy but he does prefer it a bit drier.”
Green Shadows has drawn well in barrier four with Alysha Collett to ride.
He will face 13 rivals in the benchmark 88 race, including the emerging It’s A Knockout who was an impressive winner on resumption at Randwick last month.
