An autumn stakes campaign is the ambition for progressive stayer Shezaten who again steps up in class at Sandown.
Trainer John Sadler is hoping the four-year-old can improve off the back her past two encouraging runs at Ballarat and Moonee Valley and win Saturday’s 0-95 D’Urban Handicap (2400m).
“She’s a mare we will try and get some black type with eventually,” Sadler said.
“She wants to stay, that is all she wants to do.”
Sadler was impressed with Shezaten’s easy seven-length win in 0-68 class at Ballarat last month and liked the way she battled on to finish a close sixth at Moonee Valley on November 11.
“She didn’t seem to beat much at Ballarat but she was really good there and a couple went on and won afterwards,” Sadler said.
He said at Moonee Valley she was entitled to drop out after being taken on in front a long way from home over 2040 metres at Moonee Valley in 0-82 class event.
“They got going way too early and put her under a lot of pressure and the horses that put that pressure on finished up out the back.
“To her credit she boxed on and only got beaten two lengths so the run was pretty good.”
Sadler said that while Shezaten was eligible for easier races he was content to take on better fields.
“I don’t mind jumping the grades and having a crack at (better) races,” Sadler said.
“All we want to do with her is get her some black type so hopefully we can do that in the autumn.”
Last year Shezaten finished sixth to Brazilian Pulse in the VRC Oaks (2500m) but Sadler has been unable to get her back out to a staying distance until now.
In-form apprentice Katelyn Mallyon, who landed her first city double at Moonee Valley last week, will claim three kilos on Shezaten, bringing the mare’s weight down to 50kg on Saturday.
The daughter of Handsome Ransom is one of TAB Sportsbet’s favourites for the Sandown event at $5 just behind Sea Galleon, who is $3.20 to repeat last Saturday’s win at Moonee Valley, and Musical Hit ($4.80).
AAP TURF
