Shards may not sit at the top of Godolphin’s juveniles but his Rosehill win has pushed him up a notch and given trainer John O’Shea his 30th two-year-old race win for the season.
He was the $2.30 favourite for Saturday’s 2YO Handicap (1350m), based on his second to subsequent Group One winner Press Statement.
Shards
Racing on the pace, Shards moved to the lead in the straight and held off Quick Ransom ($3.80) by three-quarters of a length.
O’Shea, who was appointed head Australian trainer for Godolphin a year ago, admitted it had been a swift learning curve with the wealth of young talent at his disposal.
“It was hard at first but I know a lot more about them now,” O’Shea said.
“We’ve got a bunch of young horses going into their three-year-old season.
“He’s not at the top but he will get better as he gets older.
“We will give him a let-up now. There is a 1300-metre race three weeks before the Golden Rose.
“That’s probably not his race. The Stan Fox might be for him and when he gets to a mile, he will be even better.”
Godolphin has an abundance of well-bred colts at its disposal but for the Hawkes stable, the decision to geld Lockroy has brought its rewards.
By More Than Ready out of 2003 Golden Slipper winner Polar Success, Lockroy came from back in the field to win Saturday’s benchmark 75 (1200m) for three-year-olds.
After being gelded last year, Lockroy has raced more tractably but had posted three minor placings before his Rosehill win which co-trainer Michael Hawkes admitted had been frustrating.
“He only has a short, sharp sprint and needs to be held up,” Hawkes said.
“It has been frustrating and it’s great to see him win today.”
Punters had faith in Tommy Berry to get the job done with Lockroy backed from $10 to $6.
Berry timed his run well with Lockroy coming from second last to beat Well Hardley Ever ($21) by a short neck with Kipling ($7) another two lengths third.
