Trainer Danny O’Brien will be issuing new riding instructions to jockey Corey Brown when he legs him up onto Shamexpress in the Group 1 $1m De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill tomorrow.
In a bid to take advantage of the apparent lack of pace in the race, O’Brien notified Racing New South Wales stewards that he would be instructing Brown to revert back to the colt’s previous racing style and go forward from barrier seven.
Stewards released a statement outlining the trainer’s intentions after Shamexpress over-raced in the early and middle stages when Craig Williams planned to settle the three year old back in the field when third to Lady Of Harrods in the Group 3 $150,000 HDF McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on September 1.
“It will be his intention to revert back to the tactics they adopted on Shamexpress in its first three races where the colt was ridden in a forward position,” the stewards statement said.
“The instructions on Saturday will be to have Shamexpress ridden in a forward position preferably just off the pace with some cover.”
If circumstances didn’t work out as planned, O’Brien wouldn’t be disappointed if Brown let Shamexpress roll to the lead.
Connections of Shamexpress parted with $50,000 when they paid the late entry fee to gain a start in the Golden Rose and part owner Andrew Smith is hoping for a first four finish to at least reclaim his $50,000 in prizemoney.
“Obviously the prize money’s very attractive,” Smith said.
“In his first three starts he’s led or been close to the lead.”
“In the McNeil we tried to settle him further back in the field. He was a little bit unruly.”
Shamexpress is currently a $13 chance in pre post markets which sees Nechita the $2.35 favourite.
The Gai Waterhouse trained Kabayan is the second pick at $4 with the best of Anthony Cummings two runners, Your Song at $8.50.
Jockey Peter Robl is talking up the chances of Your Song after the Fastnet Rock colt ran a mighty race behind last season’s two year old champion Pierro in the Group 3 $125,000 The Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill on September 1.
Robl is banking on Your Song’s versatility to help him find a good position mid race before putting in his finishing burst.
“He’s pretty much a bombproof ride,” Robl said.
“He’s got good gate speed, he’s happy to relax where you put him in a race and then he’s got that turn of foot when you ask for an effort.”
With the benefit of a race start under his belt and the addition of blinkers for Saturday, Robl is expecting a bold showing from the three year old.
“He went into that race off one soft trial on the Tuesday before, so for him to run second was enormous and he’s come on and improved since,” Robl said.
“We thought the blinkers might just make him focus and the couple of gallops he’s had in them, they’ve definitely done the job.”
Leading jockey Hugh Bowman is searching for his fourth win in the Golden Rose on Cummings other runner Ninth Legion, a $17 chance.
“It’s been a good race for me and a good race for Sydney racing,” Bowman said.
Bowman teamed up with Cummings to take out the 2008 Golden Rose with Duporth as well as In Top Swing for trainer Noel Mayfield-Smith in 2003 and Doonan for Helen Page the following year.
