Trainer Saab Hassan has revealed that Shoreham will be set for the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) during the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival, but will also include the progressive stayer in the nominations for the 2014 Melbourne Cup.
Trainer Saab Hasan is hoping that Shoreham can record his maiden win at Group level during the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Shoreham has not been seen at the races since he finished fourth in the Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (3200m), a race that is run over the same track and distance as the Melbourne Cup, and after a month in the spelling paddock will return to Hassan’s stable tomorrow.
Hassan said that he has question marks over the ability of Shoreham to run out the strong 3200 metres required in the Melbourne Cup and will instead be targeting the Queen Elizabeth Stakes on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival with the Reset gelding.
“He is due to return back this weekend,” Hassan told Racing Ahead.
“We will probably get him ready for the Queen Elizabeth.
“We will still nominate for the Melbourne Cup and keep our options open.
“I don’t think he really stayed the 3200 that well this prep and he just needs to learn to settle a bit more.
“If he can achieve that who knows.
“Other than that we are very happy with the way that he has spelled and I can’t wait to get him back.”
Shoreham made his Group 1 debut as a three-year-old when he finished third behind Escado and Hioctdane in the 2013 South Australian Derby (2500m) and stamped himself as a stayer to watch in open company when he finished second behind Precedence in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival.
The four-year-old started his autumn preparation with a promising seventh in the Listed Super Saturday Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on March and a fifth place finish in the Silver Thomas Handley Handicap (1600m) on Moonee Valley on March 29 before returning to Group level with a fifth place finish in the Easter Cup (2000m) at Caulfield on April 19.
Shoreham made up good ground late to finish third in the Listed Warrnambool Cup (2350m) on May 1 and was narrowly denied his fourth career win in the Momentum Energy Smilepower Handicap (2800m) at Flemington on May before his fair performance in the Andrew Ramsden Stakes.
Shoreham is currently available at a quote of $101 in 2014 Caulfield Cup betting markets and is available at the same odds for the Melbourne Cup.
