O'Brien three-year-olds put to the test

By Mark Ryan

Danny O'Brien is treating the upset win of Shopaholic over odds-on favourite Mosheen last week as a bonus on her path to Saturday's Group Two Angus Armanasco Stakes at Caulfield.

The Pins filly made it three wins from five starts for O'Brien since she was transferred from a New Zealand stable with her victory in the Group Three The Vanity (1410m) at Flemington over last spring's nine-length Victoria Oaks winner.

Shopaholic is raced by Garry Chittick, the owner of Waikato Stud in New Zealand, and is the first foal of the O'Reilly mare Splashing Out who was prepared by O'Brien to win four races including the 2006 Group Three Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

She chased home Gold Edition in the 2006 Group One Ascot Vale Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.

"The plan was always to run her (Shopaholic) last Saturday to probably have her at her best for this Saturday and obviously winning was a bonus," O'Brien said.

"She's come out of the run really well and I'm sure she'll improve again this Saturday.

"There are a couple of pretty smart fillies waiting there, Soft Sand and the New Zealand filly (Anabandana) and she (Shopaholic) gets a penalty now. It's a bit easier to do it when you are on the limit but now she's got 57kg.

"She's come through it super, she's drawn well (in barrier four) and she's going to get a good run.

"She doesn't know how to run a bad race. She's a really tough little filly and if anything the run has brought her on more."

Glen Boss takes over the reins from Dwayne Dunn on Saturday, while Damien Oliver replaces Craig Williams on So You Think's half-brother Now You Know in the Group Two Autumn Classic (1800m).

"He's a colt I've always had a lot of time for and he's going to get better as he steps up in distance," O'Brien said of the son of Elusive City.

"We're really hopeful he can go all the way to the AJC (Australian) Derby. He needs to do everything right because it's a big step up in class for him on Saturday.

"The distance will certainly suit him. It will be a really good test fot him but as long as he runs a very good race for us we'll keep heading that way.

"The Alister Clark is in three weeks and then we've got the Rosehill Guineas and then the Derby."

© Australian Associated Press Pty Limited (AAP) 2012

Comments

Owners Login to post a comment

AAP content is owned by or licensed to Australian Associated Press Pty Limited (AAP) and is copyright protected. AAP content is published on an "as is" basis for personal use only and must not be copied, republished, rewritten, resold or redistributed, whether by caching, framing or similar means, without AAP's prior written permission. AAP and its licensors are not liable for any loss, through negligence or otherwise, resulting from errors or omissions in or reliance on AAP content. The globe symbol and "AAP" are registered trade marks. Further this AAP content is supplied to the direct recipient pursuant to an Information Supply Agreement with AAP (AAP Information Supply Agreement). The direct recipient has a non-exclusive, non-transferable right to display this AAP content in accordance with and subject to the terms of the AAP Information Supply Agreement.

Our Horses