Shamal Wind returned to winning form with an explosive performance in the 2015 WJ Adams Stakes at Sandown yesterday and assistant trainer Stuart Webb has revealed that the talented mare may receive another chance at Group 1 level in the 2015 Oakleigh Plate.
Shamal Wind returned to her best form with an impressive win in the 2015 WJ Adams Stakes at Sandown yesterday. Photo by: Adrienne Bicknell
Shamal Wind jumped well and was able to settle in a lovely position on the rail in fourth before jockey Dwayne Dunn asked her for an extra effort at the 300 metre mark and she flew over the top of Vatican and Moment Of Change to win the Listed race for the second year in a row.
The Dubawi mare raced well without winning during her 2014 Spring Racing Carnival campaign and Webb told Racing Ahead this morning that he was thrilled to see the five-year-old return to winning form in the WJ Adams Stakes.
“Yesterday she was the winner a long way out and you don’t always see that in her races,” Webb said.
“The tempo just allowed her to be that little bit fresh and traveling and when Dwayne did go for her and press the button she did have that electrifying turn-of-foot for that short burst that she has got.”
Shamal Wind has now recorded three victories at Listed level and has been placed at Group 2 and Group 3 level on seven separate occasions, but has never performed at her best at the highest level of racing in Australia.
Webb said that trainer Robert Smerdon admits that Shamal Wind is probably not good enough to record a Group 1 victory, but he is hopeful that she may be able to improve on her 12th place finish in the Oakleigh Plate last year and enhance her value as a broodmare.
“Robert is of the opinion that when we have got to that Group 1 level she has been left short, so whether she goes to Adelaide or whether we have a go at some of the better races here we are just not sure,” Webb said.
“We will see where she ends up.
“She might end up in an Oakleigh Plate down in the weights and off a hot speed.
“She is below that level, but running third in a race like that might also be more beneficial than winning another lower grade black type race.”
The Smerdon stable are chasing their first win at Group 1 level since Mosheen took out the 2012 edition of the Vinery Stud Stakes.
