Trainer Matt Cumani realises time is running out for Shadeelaa in his bid to win a city race before turning four.
Shadeelaa heads to the Ken Cox Handicap (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday having banked victories at Ballarat and Werribee at his last two starts.
Those wins have been over 1500m and 1600m respectively and it has been Cumani’s desire to stretch Shadeelaa out to 2000m.
But in the back of Cumani’s mind is the class rise from winning a 0-58 grade race at Werribee on May 31.
“He’s done well, winning his last two, so I thought I’d put a nomination in as he had won his last two well,” Cumani said.
“You would expect that he’s going to improve stepping up to 2000 metres, and it certainly looks like he needs that.
“He’s also got a bit of confidence out of his past couple, but the last one was a zero to 58.
“We were playing the handicap game and played it well. He only narrowly won, so I’d like to think he’d improve up to 2000 metres.
“They’re only three once and it gets much tougher at four, so it might be his only chance to win a nice city race.”
Cumani said Shadeelaa had always been on the small side causing him to play catch-up through his three-year-old season, despite racing early as a two-year-old.
“He came to hand quickly, because he was a small, fine, little horse,” Cumani said.
“But we have been trying to chase that top class three-year-old level up to 2000 metres. We never quite got to it last prep, and he struggled to win his maiden.
“It’s good to see him do it this time and to get two on the bounce.”
Shadeelaa raced over 2000m at Cranbourne last year, finishing second, in an effort that pleased his trainer.
Cumani said Shadeelaa was now a more mature and seasoned performer.
“It looks like he will thrive on the trip now, it just depends on whether he can improve enough,” Cumani said.
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