Trial winner for Shalaa

A colt by Arrowfield shuttler Shalaa (Ire) was impressive at the Gold Coast trials on Monday, winning a 900 metre heat on the bridle.

The Chris Waller-trained colt, who is named Shaquero, was quick out of the gates and sat outside the leader, eventually kicking away in the straight to win by 1.4l.

The colt was purchased for $160,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Mulcaster Bloodstock from the draft of Fernrigg Farm and is out of Fimatino (Not A Single Doubt), who is a half-sister to Sunset Express (Success Express {USA}), who is the dam of Rosemont Stud resident Shamus Award.

Cup penalty

Orderofthegarter (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) has been handed a 1kg penalty for both the G1 Caulfield Cup and G1 Melbourne Cup after his impressive G3 Naturalism S. win on Saturday.

The Danny O’Brien-trained entire will now carry 51kgs in both feature races.

“It was encouraging to see Orderofthegarter record his third career win in the Naturalism S. and his first since winning a Listed race for 3-year-olds in April 2017,” Racing Victoria Executive General Manager – Racing, Greg Carpenter said.

“The merit of the victory on Saturday warranted a 1kg penalty for both Cups as he seeks to emulate Jameka who won the Caulfield Cup after winning the Naturalism S. in 2016."

Prelude option

Dual Group 1 winner King’s Legacy (Redoute’s Choice) is likely to be dual accepted for the G1 Golden Rose and G2 Caulfield Guineas Prelude on Saturday.

“What if he draws barrier 18 in the Golden Rose, so it gives me the option,’’ co-trainer Peter Snowden said. “But he’s most likely to stay here in Sydney, although nothing is locked in yet. We’ll also see what the weather does.’’

Snowden indicated that King's Legacy is still likely to head to the G1 Caulfield Guineas.

“He’ll run well this Saturday, but it looks as though he’ll be better once he gets to the 1600 metres,’’ Snowden said.

“Then he’ll come into his own. There was nothing wrong with his first-up run (last in Run To The Rose) and he’s going well, but you’d think the mile is the trip that will be best for him.’’

Thompson keeping faith

Randwick conditioner John Thompson hasn’t lost any confidence in Mamaragan (Wandjina), despite consecutive defeats to open his preparation.

Saturday’s G1 Golden Rose S. contender was a distant third in the G3 San Domenico S. and then sixth in the G2 Run To The Rose S.

Thompson said neither race was run to suit Mamaragan and he believes the colt can show his true colours over 1400 metres on Saturday.

Last season, Mamaragan was successful on debut in the G2 Skyline S. and followed up with third placings in the G1 Golden Slipper S. and in the G1 ATC Sires’ Produce S.

Guineas or Rose for Mo’unga

Chris Waller Racing announced on Monday that talented colt Mo’unga (NZ) (Savabeel) will target either Saturday’s G1 Golden Rose or the G1 Caulfield Guineas next month, rather than the G1 Spring Champion S. as originally planned.

“Mo’unga will either run in the Golden Rose or Caulfield Guineas, a decision will be made tomorrow about the Golden Rose. We feel he is sharp enough to prove himself as a sprinter-miler at this early stage,” Chris Waller Racing said on Twitter.

Epsom in balance

The performance of the G1 Stradbroke H. winner Tyzone (Written Tycoon) at Rosehill will decide if he attempts to add another top-flight title to his record.

Co-trainer Toby Edmonds will assess how Tyzone copes with his first attempt at 1500 metres in Saturday's G2 Shannon S. before deciding if the gelding backs up in the G1 Epsom H. at Randwick.

Tyzone opened his spring carnival campaign when eighth to Wild Planet (Animal Kingdom {USA}) in the Theo Marks S.

Edmonds has confirmed an Epsom start for stablemate Vanna Girl (Husson {Arg}), who was unplaced in the G2 Tramway S. and would be better suited to the step up to a mile.

Trainer happy

Trainer Tiarnna Robertson was happy to bypass a gallop at The Valley on Monday morning for her G1 Moir S. hope Fabergino (Maschino), satisfied the mare will handle the course.

Rivals Diamond Effort (Mossman), Hey Doc (Duporth) and Brooklyn Hustle (Starspangledbanner) all enjoyed a hitout while Fabergino remained at her temporary home at Mornington.

Robertson said Fabergino had completed her final Moir S. hitout before Monday’s session.

“She did her final work at Mornington on Saturday,” Robertson told Racenet. “She’s had a couple of gallops at Mornington, which is a bit tighter than what she is used to at home and has worked around there all right.”

Border restrictions eased

Racing Victoria have eased the restrictions to allow border residents who are licensed, registered or employed within Victoria to work in NSW.

“Following the changes made by State Governments around cross border communities and the introduction of border regions, we’re now in a position to provide a travel exemption to Victorian licensed participants and employees who reside near the border,” said RV Chief Executive Giles Thompson.

“The premise of the exemption is that Victorian licensed and registered border residents cannot attend licensed premises in New South Wales or South Australia when they cross the border and must remain within the designated border regions.

“Those Victorian licensed and registered persons who live and/or travel outside the border region, along with all interstate and international participants and staff, are still subject to the broader prohibitions on attendance at racecourses and licensed premises when they enter Victoria.”

Belle to trial at Rotorua

Star mare Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) will trial at Rotorua on Tuesday in a 1215 metre heat as she builds toward a race day return.

The Jamie Richards-trained 10 time Group 1 winner returned from Sydney after an inconclusive run when a luckless 11th in the G1 Winx S. and could be a late addition to the Hawke’s Bay carnival.

“She has done everything right and Jamie can’t fault her at this stage,” said John Galvin, who manages the Melody Belle Fortuna Syndicate that owns the mare.

Galvin confirmed the G1 Windsor Park Plate and G1 Livamol Classic are options for the reigning New Zealand Horse of the Year, should she please in her trial.

Sprinting options

Talented galloper Mascarpone (Shooting To Win) was back in the winner’s circle at Hawke’s Bay on Saturday when winning over 1200 metres and the 4-year-old is likely to remain at sprint distances in the near future.

“It was a terrific win and he will go to an Open Handicap 1200 metre race on the second day of the Hawke’s Bay Carnival,” said Graeme Rogerson, who trains in partnership with wife Debbie.

“I think we will keep him to sprinting and he will go to Christchurch for the G3 Stewards.”