Shandale set for debut WA victory

Punters should enjoy a flying start to the ten-event program at Gloucester Park on Friday night by cashing in on Shandale, a richly-talented newcomer from New Zealand who should prove vastly superior to his nine rivals in the Sky Racing Replays Pace.

Shandale, an Art Major four-year-old, was purchased in New Zealand a few weeks ago by Albert Walmsley and is being prepared by Mike Reed. He is the only runner off the back line and Shannon Suvaljko is likely to position him soon after the start into the one-wide line, even though the stallion will start immediately behind Mexicano, who will make a bold bid to set the pace.

Shandale’s credentials are irresistible. He has raced 33 times for eight wins and nine placings for earnings of $160,647.

He has managed only one placing (a third behind Hughie Green at Alexandra Park in November), but he has been clashing with several outstanding pacers, including the all-conquering four-year-old Lazarus, Christen Me, Tiger Tara, Titan Banner, Rocker Band, Vincent and Hughie Green.

At his latest appearance, in a group 2 Flying Mile at Cambridge on January 6, he revealed gate speed from barrier five in a field of seven and settled in the one-out, one-back position before battling on gamely to finish sixth in 1.55.6 only four metres behind the winner Lazarus, who beat Christen Me. The quarters in that race were run in 27.8sec., 31.5sec., 28.7sec. and 26.8sec.

As a two-year-old at Addington in May 2015 Shandale finished second to Lazarus in a $195,000 event and fourth behind Chase The Dream, Motu Premier and Lazarus in the group 1 Sires Stakes in which Chicago Bull finished ninth and Harry Hoo thirteenth.

Shandale has contested two 2150m trials at Byford for effortless victories. He ran home strongly and sprinted over the final 400m in 27.3sec. to win by 7m from Dave O’Brien two Sundays ago and last Sunday morning he set the pace and rated 1.56.2 (with final sections of 27.9sec. and 27.2sec.) in winning by eight lengths from Red Hot Roxy.