A Queensland Derby campaign awaits improving Tulloch Lodge three-year-old Shangri La Spring after he led throughout to claim the Frank Packer Plate at Randwick.
Adrian Bott revealed he and training partner Gai Waterhouse had initially hoped to pursue an ATC Australian Derby (2400m) tilt with the colt but the timing didn’t work out, so connections changed tact towards a long-term Brisbane winter carnival bid.
“I wanted to try to get him here for the ATC Derby. We gave him a short turnaround off the back of his winter campaign and thought we’d give him that option,” Bott said.
“It has just taken a bit longer to get him fit than we wanted so we thought the Carbine (Club Stakes) and Frank Packer would be a better program and then we could aim up (to the Queensland Derby) if we ticked those boxes.”
Shangri La Spring looked to struggle at a mile when he led and tired to finish a well beaten fourth in the Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) but jockey Tim Clark said in hindsight, his ride was too aggressive.
“It was probably a little bit my fault the other day. He probably wasn’t quite ready to be ridden like he was, second-up at a mile,” Clark said.
“That probably held him in good stead for today having a really good, toughen-up run under his belt on the back of Gai and Adrian’s advice to hold him up a bit more today, and getting out to 2000 metres, to trust his turn of foot.”
Shangri La Spring ($16) gave a good kick in the straight to hold on by three-quarters of a length over Firm Agreement ($4.40) with Plymouth ($7.50) another 1-1/2 lengths away third.
Dual Group 1 placegetter Swiftfalcon started a $1.90 favourite and was given every chance after settling much handier to the speed than usual but couldn’t sprint with the winner, finishing fourth.
“He has probably come to the end of his prep,” jockey Tyler Schiller said.
“He’s definitely not a 2000 metre horse. He might be a mile/18[00]. He had every chance today.”