Bruno Cannatelli
Sydney trainer Chris Waller is hoping for an ounce of luck with New Zealand-bred mare Shillelagh in the Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday.
The seven-year-old daughter of Savabeel will jump from a wide gate, but Waller said she will appreciate the step up to 2000m after two unplaced efforts over 1400m and 1800m this time in.
“She has drawn gate 10 of 15 but she loves Flemington and there was nothing wrong with her first two runs,” Waller said.
“She will certainly appreciate the 2000m distance.
“She had no luck when running in a similar race, being the Mackinnon Stakes, during the Spring Carnival, so hopefully she gets a bit more luck go her way and we would expect her to be finishing off very strongly over the concluding stages.”
Shillelagh is raced by her Hunterville-based breeder, Christopher Grace and began her career in New Zealand where she was a four-time winner for Te Akau Racing.