Shamrocker could break a 22-year drought for fillies in the $1.5 million AJC Australian Derby

Shamrocker will attempt to be the horse to break a 22-year drought for fillies in the $1.5 million AJC Australian Derby tomorrow April 9, 2011.

The last filly to win the Derby was Research in 1989, and since then the boys have dominated the Group 1 race.

Glen Boss, who will ride Shamrocker in tomorrow’s race, believes that the winning horse needs to have a good turn of foot rather than just the ability to stay.

“I won the Derby on Starcraft and he wasn’t a stayer (and) Mahogany won two Derbies and he wasn’t a stayer,” Boss said.

Boss is confident that the race will be run aggressively, a situation that would suit Shamrocker perfectly.

“Retrieve looks like he’s got only one way to win the race – going out and setting a genuine tempo because he’s going to get outsprinted by Jimmy Choux every day of the week,” Boss said.

“The way I can see Jimmy Choux getting beaten is if they go a good clip and probably nullify his sprint. If they go slow they might as well stay at home because Jimmy Choux will outsprint them.

“No one is going to let Jimmy Choux dictate, so I’m pretty confident it will be a genuine run race.”

Shamrocker’s trainer, Danny O’Brien, is confident that his filly can be the one to finally bring the boys down a peg or two.

“She won the (VRC) Sires’ Produce and Australian Guineas against them,” O’Brien said.

“She’s not just a hit and hope. She’s going to go in as second or third favourite and she’s in great shape. Her whole preparation has been built around the Derby and it’s been a good prep.”

O’Brein will be praying that the race will be run with a fast tempo throughout.

“Last start the tempo beat her, they quickened on the home corner and left her flat footed, but she was strong late,” he said.

“When there’s a strong tempo, as there was in the Guineas, it plays into her hands.”