Flemington trainer Simon Zahra had aspirations of tackling the main Group 1 sprint for three-year-olds during Melbourne Cup week, but instead has decided on a lesser Stakes race option.
The Coolmore Stub Stakes (1200m) on day one of the four-day Carnival was initially the focus for Zahra with Shesallshenanigans, but a slight cold at an inopportune time forced a change of place.
Instead, the filly heads to the Group 3 Red Roses Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on Thursday.
Shesallshenanigans was successful over the course and distance second-up in September which prompted Zahra to contemplate starting the filly in the Coolmore Stud Stakes.
In trying to get the perfect preparation to the Coolmore, Zahra planned a start at Caulfield on October 14, but the filly got a cold resulting in the filly needing treatment and ending Zahra’s Coolmore Stud dreams.
“A lot of horses are getting it at this time of year, so you have to treat it, train them accordingly and hopefully they bounce off it,” Zahra said.
“She had a good gallop Saturday, a maintenance gallop on Tuesday and she looks on top of herself.
“She likes the straight and it looks a nice race for her.
“We got sucked into that race at The Valley (September 29) because history says you cannot run in the Danehill Stakes (October 7) and a month later win the Coolmore.
“I tried to put a race in in-between, and we got sick a bit, and she had to be at her prime and for the Coolmore to fall away for her to win it, so this seems the logical option.
“She’s in excellent order now.”
Shesallshenanigans will be ridden by Blaike Mcdougall on Thursday and has drawn barrier 12 over the straight 1100m course.
The filly drew a similar gate when successful on September 16 and Zahra said he will have simple instructions for McDougall on Thursday, to let the filly roll.
“Every time she’s led and allowed to roll, she wins,” Zahra said.
“But if something beats her for speed and you hold her up, she doesn’t quicken and labours a bit.”
