ADAM Hyeronimus will retain the ride on Wyong whiz Shaggy in his final Golden Slipper Stakes test at Rosehill on March 8.
Hyeronimus got a late call-up to maintain Shaggy’s unbeaten record in the Pierro Plate (1100m) at that track yesterday after Newcastle jockey Aaron Bullock relinquished the ride when he could not get down to ride the brilliant two-year-old 0.5kg over at 56.5kg.
“I got a message from Aaron at 11.45am to advise he wasn’t able to ride Shaggy,” trainer Allan Kehoe said this morning.
“Aaron will get the opportunity to ride him again when it’s possible, but wouldn’t be able to make 55.5kg in the Todman Stakes (1200m) at Randwick next month.
“Adam knows the horse now, and it makes sense to stick with him.”
Shaggy’s performance in the Group 2 Todman against his own sex will determine whether connections shell out $150,000 as a late entry fee to line up in the $5m Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 22.
The Todman winner automatically gains exemption from Slipper ballot should it be required.
Kehoe, who told ProvincialRacingNSW readers last week in the lead-up to the Pierro for Shaggy’s third victory from as many starts, that he was clearly the best horse he has trained, gave a glowing report about how his youngster came through yesterday’s race.
“We didn’t stay at Randwick too long; I wanted to get both of us home,” Kehoe said.
“Shaggy went back into his box at the track, and I celebrated within my mates (including fellow Wyong trainer Damien Lane) at the Royal Hotel at Wyong.
“Shaggy licked his feed bin out, and was in terrific order this morning.
“You wouldn’t think he had raced yesterday.
“Shaggy is loving life, and thinks he is Brad Pitt.
“He was kicking his heels up and towing me around when I took him out of his box this morning, and will go out to the farm later today.”
Because Shaggy has not yet been nominated for the world’s richest two-year-old race, TAB.com.au did not put him into the market at first after his stunning Pierro victory when he led throughout and scored by two and a quarter lengths, leaving $2.05 favorite Pallaton struggling into fourth place and his Slipper hopes in a state of uncertainty.
[JC1] Kehoe had studied video of Pallaton’s recent 900m trial at Rosehill when third to other prime Slipper contenders North England and Bel Merci.
“I told Adam that if they left him alone in front on Shaggy, he could put a break on them in the straight,” Kehoe said.
“It could not have worked out better.”
Leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees clinched a Brisbane double at Eagle Farm yesterday with imports Barazin and Age Of Sail to take his season’s tally to 75, and career total to nearly 2750.
Andrew Mallyon rode both Barazin ($1.80 favorite in the Class 3 Plate, 1800m), and Age Of Sail ($3.90) in the Benchmark 80 Handicap (2200m).
Newcastle’s Paul Perry ($2.35 favorite Zoe Shark in the Benchmark 64 Handicap, 900m) and Kembla Grange’s Paul Murray ($5.50 chance Welcometobarbados in the Conditional Benchmark 68 Handicap, 1250m) were winners at Newcastle yesterday.
Perry along with fellow Newcastle trainer John Bannister and Gosford’s Greg McFarlane all were successful at today’s Port Macquarie Showcase meeting.
Perry landed the Benchmark 66 Handicap (1800m) with Yorikiri ($3), Bannister the Maiden Handicap (1000m) with Our Emily ($8), and McFarlane the Benchmark 66 Handicap (1500m) with $2.50 favorite Kosuke.
Story John Curtis, February 16, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos
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