Trainer Kelly Schweida has revealed that the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) is the hopeful spring target for Shogun Sun, after the rising three-year-old performed extremely well first-up on the weekend.
Trainer Kelly Schweida will target the 2017 Golden Rose with Shogun Sun. Photo: Daniel Costello
Sent off an $8.50 chance amongst notable company in the Pool Pro Quality Chemicals Handicap (1200m) on the Sunshine Coast, Shogun Sun was settled at the tail of the eleven-horse field by jockey James Orman after jumping from a wide draw.
Appearing to have too much work ahead when the field straightened and he was blocked by a wall of horses, the Written Tycoon gelding found space on the outside of his rivals and mustered a big turn of foot to finishing second behind Bring It Home Pop.
Schweida was understandably thrilled with the horse’s performance and told AAP that he will aim to build Shogun Sun’s prizemoney, with a view towards gaining a position in the 2017 Golden Rose field; set to be run at Rosehill Gardens on September 9th.
“It was a very good run. He was three and four deep at the tail of the field but made up a huge amount of ground in the straight,” Schweida said.
“With a good barrier he would have been closer and it might have been different.”
“The winner is pretty smart and the time was virtually the same as in the Class Six later in the day.
“I am sure Shogun Sun will be well suited by the 1400 metres of the Rose and you don’t often get to run in $1 million races.”
Shogun has only made five appearances since debuting for Schweida in October last year, but has managed one win and two second place finishes to date.
Clearly requiring a run when he resumed this year for sixth in the Coca Cola 2yo Handicap (1000m) at Eagle Farm, the gelding out of Lady Somers posted his only win to date in the Weddings At BRC Maiden Plate (1200m) before placing second in the A&T Trading Handicap (1200m) on March 18th.
Godolphin colt Kementari remains the early $7 favourite in 2017 Golden Rose betting markets.
