Small fish might be sweet this autumn, but longer-term trainer John O’Shea has identified progressive gelding Yorkshire as a Group horse in the making.
The four-year-old will attempt to take the next step towards that goal when he chases back-to-back wins in Saturday’s TAB Handicap (1500m) for which he is a popular odds-on favourite.
The booking of champion hoop James Mcdonald is no doubt an influence on his price, but with four wins from just six starts, O’Shea feels the horse has also earned it.
“He is a deserved favourite, but because James is on him, he is probably shorter than what he would be normally,” O’Shea said.
“But we’re happy with our horse. He will be well suited at Rosehill and there’s a lot in his favour.
“There is no shortage of ability and as his trip gets a little longer he will be even more effective.”
While Yorkshire is garnering an impressive record, the form around him is also stacking up.
First-up he split Accredited and West Of Africa, the former an early favourite for Saturday’s Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill, while West Of Africa has subsequently scored an astonishing win in the Magic Millions Cup.
Last time out, Yorkshire was a class above his rivals at Wyong and O’Shea believed the Snitzel gelding could eventually be competitive at Group level.
“He is a horse we’re just trying to get through his grades each week and I think he will end up a beautiful Group Two miler, something like that, in the latter part of the Sydney spring,” he said.
“We will keep ducking and weaving until he learns his craft. He is so lightly raced and he’s so young, there is plenty of time to get him where we need to.”
The stable will saddle up Cotehele in the same race and from barrier two, O’Shea says he gets every chance to improve on his below par recent form,
“It’s D-day for him but he has finally drawn a gate, which is important, and he loves Rosehill,” he said.
“There is no problem with the way he is going at home, but he hasn’t had circumstances to suit.
“Saturday, he will drop on the bridle off a good tempo, probably follow his stablemate and that will give him a chance to aim up or ship out. I wouldn’t be surprised if he ran a little race.”
