The Gr 3 Neville Sellwood Stakes at Rosehill over 2000m was taken out in dashing style by prolific interstate hopper SHARED AMBITION (Born To Sea – Almansa).
This, completed after a great, quick-thinking moment of judgement by leading rider James McDonald.
He saw that natural front-runner ENTENTE (Dundeel – Nexuses) was not overly keen to do the hard yards in front early today, so he did.
Jay Mac sent Shared Ambition, who after three runs so far this time up was supremely fit, to the front in lieu of Entente being there. And from there the masterful jock just controlled the tempo.
He sped away as they turned and although Entente and the favourite MASTER OF WINE (Maxios – Magma) gave chase down the home straight with all their respective mights, the winner was just two strong late winning by nearly 2 lengths with just over 2 lengths back to a plodding Master Of Wine.
It was a win done so in complete contrast to his regular racing pattern.
Last start for instance, in the Gr 1 Australian Cup at Flemington, he was 14th of 17 turning form home and dashed late to grab 11th, beaten 2.4 lengths.
Easier field here and back on his home track, made life different out there for him.
The 5-year-old taking his career earnings past $725,000.
“He is an honest horse and that’s why you put the top jockeys on. It was a tremendous ride by James,” said Chris Waller who trains the winner.
Ten minutes later the trainer was watching one of his unarmed 3YO fillies at Kembla named NIFFLER score on debut under a great Chad Lever ride.
She is by Tavistock and like Shared Ambition, looks a good 2000m horse in the making. May even develop enough in time to push for a Gr 1 Australian Oaks start in a few weeks.
Shared ambition started at $4.40 with Neds.
