Sghirripa out to upset rivals in Newmarket Handicap at Flemington

Trainer Shane Oxlade says Sghirripa has pulled up well from a bruising Oakleigh Plate run as he eyes an upset in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.

It’s full steam ahead for Woodchester trainer Shane Oxlade and his gun sprinter Sghirripa, as the pair aim to pull off an upset in Saturday’s Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington.

The son of Lonhro finished seventh when first-up in last month’s Oakleigh Plate, where he spent the race submerged between runners.

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“He’s really good, he’s pulled up really good, he come home and did really well,” Oxlade, who trains in partnership with daughter, Cassie, said.

“Michael Dee said he didn’t appreciate it in there, it was really argy bargy, he’s a big horse and he never got into his natural stride and rhythm.

“He just wasn’t comfortable, there was a lot of pushing and shoving and he copped a fair bit of it.

“I think he presented at the top of the straight to run into it, then maybe he just needed the run.

“He sort of levelled out although he was still making ground, he wasn’t dropping out of the race.”

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Sghirripa, who has won seven races and over $600k in prizemoney, has ticked the boxes required for Oxlade to persist with a second Newmarket tilt after the gelding finished seventh in last year’s sprint.

The speedster has an imposing three wins from five starts when second-up.

It will see Sghirripa complete a short two-run prep before he has a break ahead of the Adelaide Racing Carnival, beginning in April.

“He’s come through it good, he’s come home and done really well since, I’m happy with him,” he said.

Sghirripa winning the Standish Handicap in dominant fashion at Flemington last year. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

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“It was always these two runs in Melbourne before the carnival at home – I was always happy to go back.

“He’ll probably have a run somewhere as a lead-up to The Goodwood (May).”

Oxlade’s Group 1-winning sprinter Queman is on the comeback trail, he won’t be seen during the Adelaide carnival, but is recovering well following a sesamoid injury last year.

“The vet was happy with it, it’s healed up, the hole is gone and it looks quite good,” Oxlade said.

“We’ll just start him off slow, get him going on the walker and try and do a little bit with him that way first – he’s back home in the yard here now.”

Sghirripa will be ridden by Luke Currie in Saturday’s $1.5m Newmarket Handicap, he is a $20 chance with Sportsbet fixed odds.

Originally published as Sghirripa out to upset rivals in Newmarket Handicap at Flemington