English import Mister Sea Wolf is an unlikely runner in the Epsom Handicap despite winning the Group 2 $200,000 Toohey’s 150th Birthday Shannon Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill today.

Mister Sea Wolf, above, scores a clear cup win in the 2019 Shannon Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.

Last night’s Group 1 Moir Stakes winning jockey James McDonald elected to stick to the rails on Mister Sea Wolf who went on to record a one and a quarter lengths win over the $2.40 favourite Gem Song with the winner’s stablemate Tom Melbourne ($12) holding on for third.

The Chris Waller trained Mister Sea Wolf had plenty of admirers in the betting ring and firmed in from $12 to start at $9.50 for the Shannon Stakes while his price for the Group 1 $1m Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on October 5 has been slashed from $61 to $21 at Ladbrokes.com.au.

Waller made it back to back wins in the Shannon Stakes after Noire claimed the prize last year but the Foxwedge mare could only mange fourth this year.

“It’s unlikely (to run in the Epsom),” Waller said.

“You’ll see if you look at his form he needs to have his races spaced three to four weeks.

“He puts a bit into his races and he has a few secondary problems after a race where his legs puff up and things like that so you’re always dealing with something.

“With him we’ve found giving him three to four weeks is best so we’ll probably look at something during that time.”

McDonald settled Mister Sea Wolf just behind the speed which was controlled up front by Glyn Schofield on Tom Melbourne.

Tom Melbourne tried hard in the straight but couldn’t hold off Mister Sea Wolf with McDonald sticking in the inside fence and the Kris Less trained Gem Song was also finished strongly down the centre of the track.