Shadows Cast will attempt to continue his progressive season in today’s Thorndon Mile at Trentham.
The Mark Oulaghan-trained gelding emerged out the shadows when dead-heating with Son Of Maher in the group 2 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile at Riccarton earlier this season.
"He’s really come to it the last three or four months. He’s always shown he had the ability, but he’s really stepped up his game lately," Oulaghan said.
A win in today’s 1600m feature would rank him one of New Zealand’s top milers.
"The main aim was the Coupland’s and he went down there and went quite well and it’s just been a natural progression on to the Thorndon," Oulaghan said.
"We’ve spaced his races since and just given him a sprint into the Thorndon, just as we gave him a sprint into the Coupland’s. He’s worked up pretty well since that win the other day and we’re happy."
TAB bookmakers have rated Shadows Cast $9 fifth-favourite for the Thorndon Mile behind market leaders Love Affair ($3) and Hiflyer ($5.20). The Desert Gold Stakes looks a clash between the experienced and the up-and-comers.
Proven filly Dijon Bleu takes on newcomers Milseain and Rondinella.
Milseain steps up from winning her only start over 1400m to today’s 1600m.
"She lacks a bit of ring craft, but hopefully she can do it," co-trainer Anderw Forsman said.
"We’re backing her ability so we’ll give her the chance."
Rondinella has already shown she can run a strong 1600m with a classy performance in the second of her two starts when winning at Tauranga.
— NZ Racing Desk/Jonny Turner
