Age has been the friend of Shadhavar, who added another Stakes victory to her record with a determined win in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
After a two-run campaign last preparation that saw Shadhavar successful at Listed level, the mare continued her progression with another black-type victory.
It was 12 months ago that Shadhavar was beaten in a Benchmark 74 race at the corresponding meeting, but the daughter of Pride Of Dubai is now a six-time winner from 15 starts with just over $400,000 in prize money.
Sent out the $5 favourite under Craig Williams, Shadhavar scored a short-neck win over Persian Spirit ($10), with Recommendation ($6) a length away in third.
Senior part-owner Joe O’Neill said there would be no rush to step Shadhavar up to 1400m for the Group 1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on August 29.
On the same program is the Group 3 Courtza Stakes (1200m), which O’Neill said was likely to be a more suitable contest.
“She’s a very good mare and she’s improving all the time,” O’Neill said.
“Who knows where she may finish, as it is just the start of her preparation.
“The Courtza Stakes is in two weeks’ time, and I would like to win that.
“I think we will keep her sprinting as you can go up in distance too quickly and have a gut-buster and it is a long way to Flemington.”
O’Neill said trainer Tom Dabernig had done a tremendous job with Shadhavar and will plan a campaign that he hopes will wind up at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
“The Champions Sprint,” O’Neill said.
“I think she’s a sprinter, and that’s the thing, people tend to push horses sometime and push them out in distance.
“Keep her fresh, keep her happy, so it’s very good.”
