He might not bear a physical resemblance to his well-performed big brother Storm Boy but Shangri La Boy is expected to make a mark in his own right.
The three-year-old took a step in that direction with an all-the-way in the TAB Plate (1400m) at Rosehill on Wednesday, making amends for his defeat as favourite on debut at Canterbury last month.
Winning jockey Adam Hyeronimus partnered Storm Boy to three of his five career wins, including the 2024 Magic Millions Classic and San Domenico Stakes, and said while Shangri La Boy wasn’t in the same mould, he was a talent in his own right.
“He was a very beautiful horse, Storm Boy. It’s hard to find horses that look like him,” Hyeronimus said.
“But he’s got his own good attributes this horse. He is (by) Pierro, which might need blinkers in time. But what he’s doing at the moment is very nice and I like the way he handles himself.
“He’s so casual, so relaxed, nothing ever bothers him and I’m sure he will build off the back of today’s win.”
Shangri La Boy ($7.50) made the running and never looked in danger, scoring by 2-1/4 lengths over Nordic Viking ($9) with Providence ($3.30 fav) third.
Co-trainer Adrian Bott said the colt had been a work in progress, needing five barrier trials before he got to the races, but was starting to put everything together.
Bott is keen to test the waters in better company but expects him to improve on whatever he does this campaign.
“He’s going to be a horse that will keep improving as we get out over further. We are just beginning to scratch the surface with his ability,” Bott said.
“We will look to test him. How far we can take him this preparation, I’m not sure, but he’s well and truly got those steps to take in terms of his career.”
Ciaron Maher won the United Resource Management Handicap (1200m) with Too Darn Hot colt Ripley and is also keen to raise the bar to black-type company.
A $625,000 yearling buy, Ripley holds a nomination for the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) and Maher says the three-year-old had always shown above average ability.
“First ‘prep’ I probably expected a little bit more but it just didn’t come to hand for him,” Maher said.
“He’s a colt. He’s by the right stallion so hopefully he keeps progressing the right way and he probably stretches out a bit further now.
“We will feel our way a little bit. I think he will come on a lot from today. He is still a little bit big and burly but there might be a cheeky stakes race for him.”
Ripley ($3.40 fav) accounted for Onmalone ($12) by two lengths with Chicama ($6) another neck away.
