13 March 2019 | Paul Courts
RESPECTED mentor Dale Afford is hoping to turn his rivals into chum at Globe Derby on Friday night.
Afford will make the long trip to headquarters to tackle a pair of features with classy youngsters Shesashark and Hesashark.
As the names suggest one is a filly, while the other is a gelding, with the duo by Shadyshark Hanover, which stands at Goodtime Lodge for Victorian breeders Ian and Judi Slater.
“They are both feeling good and should run nice races,” Afford said. “We’ll just have to see what luck we got on the night.”
Shesashark will kick-start proceedings in the South Australia Oaks.
Successful at three of her last four starts, the three-year-old has drawn to settle prominently from barrier two.
Shesashark rounded out her Blue Riband preparation with an easy victory against older company in Port Pirie last Sunday.
“She has surprised me a bit,” Afford said. “When she was younger I thought she was only running along at a good speed because she was wound up and highly strung, but as she settled she has still shown a good turn of foot.
“I’ve very pleased with the job she is doing and expect her to be in it a long way in the Oaks.”
Citing Wellsaidlucy as the one to beat, Afford also rates Soho Crucio highly despite being first-up from a spell.
Wellsaidlucy will begin from the outside of the front row, with Soho Crucio to come from four.
“Wellsaidlucy has done well in its few starts and they wouldn’t have come over if they didn’t think she could win,” Afford said.
“Soho Crucio hasn’t raced since last August, but if she comes back with the form she showed at the end of her last campaign she will be hard to beat as well.”
Hesashark will then tackle the Sapling Stakes, where he has drawn the widest barrier.
After scoring upon debut the two-year-old finished fourth during his subsequent outing.
“I gave him a few days off after the Kindergarten, but he has had a bit of work put into him,” Afford said. “I rushed him out of the gate last time but from a wide draw there will be no need for it
“His work been good enough to suggest he will be among them at the finish.”
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