Hawkesbury preview: English Group 1 performer Berkshire Shadow set for his first Australian win in the Ladies Day Cup

Luck hasn’t gone the way of Berkshire Shadow since arriving in Australia but things have lined up nicely for him top break through at Hawkesbury.

Berkshire Shadow is chasing his first Australian win in the Ladies Day Cup at Hawkesbury. Picture: Bradley Photos

Imported gelding Berkshire Shadow finally has an ideal barrier in a very suitable race to break through for his first Australian win.

The gelding has just one placing to his name from eight starts since arriving from England as a Group 1 placegetter and is coming off a last place in the Big Dance Wild Card at Randwick on October 19.

Prior to that, Berkshire Shadow was third behind Here To Shock after a tough run in the Group 3 Cameron at Newcastle and tenth behind Ceolwulf in the Group 1 Epsom at Randwick.

However, he hasn’t had a lot of luck according to Johann Gerard-Dubord, assistant trainer to Ciaron Maher, and is capable of a big run in the Listed Ladies Day Cup (1500m).

It's Ceolwulf right down the outside in the TAB Epsom and he sails away to take the famous G1 mile for @SchofieldChad and @PrideRacing! 🏆@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/irirNeZGse

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 5, 2024

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“Last start, he had to work hard from the outside gate to cross. They went a bit too quick early and it told at the end so I think it would be best to forget that run,” said Gerard-Dubord.

“The start before that in the Epsom, he actually ran very well. He was closing strongly on the line.

“He’s not a horse with a big turn of foot but he worked to the line very well.

“This is about the first time since he has arrived in Australia that he’s actually had a bit of luck with the gates.

“From the inside gate, if he can jump well and settle in the first four or five horses, he will run a big race. I think he is a good chance.”

Cheval Savant has finished down the order in his two runs this campaign but there have been excuses and has things in his favour to bounce back to form winning in the Benchmark 68 (2100m).

The son of Savabeel got a check near the 800m as he was looking to build his momentum when eighth to Behind The Storm first-up over 1500m at Newcastle.

He then found himself locked up behind the leader when eighth to Green Belt on the Kensington over 1800m.

In both races, he was beaten just over two lengths.

“He is a horse with a big action and both runs this campaign, he couldn’t build his momentum when he needed to,” Gerard-Dubord said.

Cheval Savant gets the job done as favourite!@cmaherracing@Dynamic_WONITpic.twitter.com/bWNMlOdvMA

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 12, 2024

“This is an open race but the step up in distance, a good barrier and especially the dry track are all in his favour.

“I think the horse is going well and this looks a nice race for him.”

In the opening race, the Super Maiden Plate (1600m), the Maher stable has two good contenders in Blacklist and The Beast.

Blacklist has just one third placings from seven starts but Gerard-Dubord said he is a much better horse that his record reads.

“He has been just behind the placegetters a number of times. He has ability and he shouldn’t be a maiden anymore because he is better than that,” he said.

“He is quirky and still learning his trade. At the moment, he probably isn’t the most genuine horse but that’s because he doesn’t know what he’s doing.

“He’s the kind of horse that once he wins a race and gets that bit of confidence, he can win a couple in-a-row.”

The Beast was a little unlucky on debut when held up for a run in the straight before changing course and finishing strongly for a close second to Cashburn at Nowra.

“He’s still a big baby who is learning but he tries very hard,” he said.

“He’s a big horse and couldn’t build the momentum when he needed it and was unlucky not to win.

“The big track, a nice draw and the mile will suit him. I think he is some chance.”

HIGHLAND EIGHTGEE READY FOR A WINNING FLING

Highland Eightgee has had more starts than the rest of his rivals combined but he can use that experience to his advantage as he searches for his maiden success on his home track.

The Mick Attard-trained five-year-old has had 16 starts for three placings but is has only been in the second half of this starts that he has started to put things together.

It was in those eight starts that Highland Eightgee ran this three placings – two seconds and a third – along with a forth, two fifth placings and a sixth.

“He did well last campaign but I think he has come back a better horse time in. He’s more mature now,” said Attard.

The five-year-old son of Highland Reel resumed with a nice second behind Motoscafo over 1200m at Kembla before a two length fifth behind Mahogany Girl at Hawkesbury last start but things didn’t go his way according to Attard.

🟣 Bhima Grad Winner 🟣
3YO filly Motoscafo (Castelvecchio x Jahre) motors home late to claim her maiden win at start two for @CummingsRacing.

An @inglis_sales Easter buy for her trainer, she was bred by Packaging Investments, Haltrow Pty Ltd & Stud Consultants.

Congrats! pic.twitter.com/XuTTZmGakp

— Bhima Thoroughbreds (@BhimaTBreds) October 12, 2024

“Things started well when he jumped out and settled in just behind them but the leader put the brakes on and even the race favourite even got shuffled back to last and a roughie ended up winning,” he said.

“I think you forget that and go on his previous run at Kembla which was really good.

“He has drawn nicely in barrier one and if he doesn’t lead, he should be up there somewhere and should be in the finish.”

Attard will then turn his attention to the Midway at Randwick on Saturday where he saddles up consistent performer Putt For Dough and Dodi.

Already a Midway winner, Putt For Dough was forced to do it tough first-up but Attard said he will likely be ridden cold this week.

“He sat three-deep the whole way and they race 34.20 secs for the first 600m and 34.70 secs for the last 600m,” he said.

“He was entitled to run last not run eighth beaten just over three lengths.

“He just went hard because he was so fresh so he will be better for the run this week.”

Dodi failed to see out the 1500m last start but has been freshened for the drop back to 1300m.

“If he shows his old form, which I think he might, then he can run a cheeky race,” he said.

“If he didn’t get checked the day he ran second at Goulburn over 1300m, I think he wins and he was unlucky at his next start.”