Bruno Cannatelli
Group One-winning mare Shillelagh will attempt to upset the farewell party of her stablemate Winx when she contests the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday.
The daughter of Savabeel is backing up from her fifth-placing in the Gr.1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) last Saturday and trainer Chris Waller believes she will appreciate better track conditions this weekend.
“She is backing up after a tough performance in the Doncaster where she certainly wasn’t suited by the track, so to run as close as she did certainly would suggest that she is in good form,” he said.
“The likelihood of a better track on Saturday is going to be a big plus for her.
“The 2000m distance won’t be a problem and she was brave in defeat when narrowly beaten in the Australian Cup (Gr.1, 2000m) over this trip earlier this preparation.”