Top trainer Michael Moroney said before the race he believed his lightly raced 3YO SHELBY COBRA (Toronado-Segenhoe Valley) was pretty smart.
And when he came home down the centre of the Flemington straight racing past TOMMY GOLD (Sacred Falls-Gold Rocks) and the weakening DEEP SPEED (Deep Field-Fast N Witty) , all that was justified.
“I saw his father Toronado race at Ascot and so when I saw him (Shelby Cobra) as a yearling I thought he was a lovely balanced horse who reminded me of his dad.”
Shelby Cobra was having his 3rd race start in this race, the Listed Amanda Elliott over 1400m.
It was a 1400m race for 3YOs and we may have seen the next Sandown Guineas winner….or may not, depending on who you listen to.
“I don’t make decisions on race day but he looked strong winning this,” added Moroney.
When jockey Ben Melham came back to scale he said, “I certainly wouldn’t be going to a mile with him just yet, but he looks a very promising type.”
The Sandown Guineas is over 1600m.
Sydney colt Tommy Gold ran his heart out for 2nd. He was on the fence tracking the leader, Deep Speed into the straight and stayed there angling for a run which came but so did the winner down the outside.
He looks a smart one on the rise too. John O’Shea who trains him, has had a great Cup Carnival winning two races thus far and now placing in a $175,000 stakes race.
Deep Speed was unbeaten going into the race having won three in a row and he led until late in the game. He may be looking for a spell now.
