Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
The Waller-trained Shaquero was successful in the G3 Bowermans Commercial Furniture Pago Pago S. while Arcaded triumphed in the G3 Cerrone Magic Night S. with both races offering the winner ballot exemption in the Golden Slipper.
Shaquero won the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast in January and in one subsequent appearance since a break had finished sixth in the G2 Skyline S.
Improved for that outing, he settled in the trail and once into the clear 200 metres off the post he accelerated quickly and held out the late charge of Tiger Of Malay (Extreme Choice).
“He does well between his runs and he will be fitter again in seven days’ time. He ran the week before the Magic Millions as well,” Waller said.
“He’s a decent horse obviously and on a better track he’s a different sort of horse. It was good to see him settle and then push out and held a strong gallop to the post.”
Successful rider Kerrin McEvoy confirmed Shaquero would be all the better for Saturday’s outing and appreciated the better going at Rosehill.
“He showed his skills out there, he’s a nice horse for sure and will improve. I didn’t ride him in his previous start, but Hugh (Bowman) said he didn’t enjoy the wet track,” McEvoy said.
Shaquero with his strapper after winning the G3 Bowermans Commercial Furniture Pago Pago S. | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Shaquero was purchased at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale out of Fernrigg Farm's draft for $160,000 by Mulcaster Bloodstock. The colt is out of Fimatino (Not A Single Doubt) and from the family of G1 Cox Plate winner and Rosemont Stud sire Shamus Award.
Magical effort
Arcaded was a comfortable winner of the Magic Night and, after racing in second spot, she ambled to the front for rider James McDonald halfway down the straight and wasn’t pushed right out to win.
The Godolphin filly had won her first two starts in Melbourne, including a defeat of Saturday’s Listed Valley Pearl winner Scorched Earth (Nicconi) before an unplaced performance in the G1 Blue Diamond S.
“Arcaded performed brilliantly in Melbourne in the lead-up to the Blue Diamond, where the inside draw proved detrimental to her chances,” trainer James Cummings said. “She is an efficient, compact, no-fuss filly, who trained on beautifully since arriving in Sydney.
“It was a good performance in her first go around Rosehill. She won like a filly that was always in control. We will give ourselves the opportunity to weigh up the ratings and strength of the race before we decide about the Slipper.”
Arcaded is a daughter of G3 Maribyrnong Plate placegetter Gloriette (Lonhro) and she is out of a sister to the G1 Oakleigh Plate winner and champion sire Snitzel whose late half-brother Hinchinbrook won the G3 Skyline S., was a multiple Group 1 winner and successful sire.
“She’s been very well-educated and pulled up without a care in the world. She is very professional,” McDonald said.
