AMANDA RANDO | @Amanda_Rando
CLASSY filly Shezallapples is facing her first interstate assault in a heat of the Victoria Oaks at Tabcorp Park Melton on Friday night.
The Group 1 winner arrived in Shepparton, Victoria, on Thursday morning in bright spirits according to trainer David Thorn.
“She travelled very well and never moved on the float,” said Thorn.
“She’s bright within herself and is just such an easy going horse that’s pretty relaxed all the time which helps.”
And that is not the only aspect that has given Thorn confidence in the Breeders Challenge winner.
Shezallapples has drawn barrier four in the second heat of the Victoria Oaks (2240m) and subsequently is the $2 favourite with TAB Fixed Odds.
“It’s definitely the weaker of the two heats and my filly has drawn well too,” said Thorn.
“She hasn’t been drawing well of late and it’s nice to see her get a good draw for this.
“I think Keayang Secret is the hardest to beat . . . she has drawn awkwardly but goes well.”
Shezallapples made the most of her front-row draw to win at Tabcorp Park Menangle last start where she rated the mile in a career best 1:53.0.
That was her second win in five starts this season.
“She’s been racing super this preparation, draws have been her only problem,” said Thorn.
“She had no luck in the New South Wales Oaks heats and then drew badly for the final, ended up back in the field and when they ran slow in front making it impossible for her to win.
“She still came home in 25.6 and finished fourth.
“I was a bit worried that when she came back into work this time in that she hadn’t improved because her work wasn’t strong.
“But she came out and trialled super so I’ve since discovered she is not a good track-worker, she just gets the job done at the races.”
It has been five years since Thorn has campaigned a horse interstate.
The last two horses he travelled outside of New South Wales were Jennas Highview and Vertigal who finished second and third, respectively, in the 2011 Australian Oaks at Melton.
Meanwhile, Thorn’s driver Jim Douglass has tasted feature success at Melton before when winning the Victoria Derby in 2012 with Scandalman.
“Jimmy has the experience of winning the big races down here so hopefully he can add a Victoria Oaks to both our résumés,” Thorn said.
Also representing NSW this Friday night’s Melton meeting are Angel In White and Sheza Sharpie in the first Victoria Oaks heat, On Thunder Road in the Group 3 Sundons Gift Trotters FFA and Thorn’s metro pacer Canardly Lover.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
