’He’s way better than average’: Wyong trainer Allan Kehoe mulls Golden Slipper tilt for 2025 Pierro Plate contender Shaggy

Allan Kehoe already rates Shaggy above any horse he’s trained and could be ready to put a Golden Slipper tilt on the table if his unbeaten juvenile can deliver at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Allan Kehoe already rates Shaggy above any horse he’s trained and could be ready to put a Golden Slipper tilt on the table if his unbeaten juvenile can deliver at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Shaggy does not hold a nomination for the Slipper but would give Kehoe plenty to think about if he can complete a winning hat-trick to start his career in the Pierro Plate (1100m).

The speedy gelding has been an impressive winner from two starts at Coffs Harbour and the Sunshine Coast but faces by far his biggest challenge against several leading Slipper contenders.

Unbeaten colts Pallaton and Comedy as well as $1.75 million baby United States will make up just a portion of his competition in the juvenile event.

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Kehoe believes Shaggy is the testing material and deserves his chance to show it.

“He is definitely the best horse I have had in my yard,” Kehoe said.

“But he is going down there and there are a few in that race that are up in the market in the Slipper.

“You want to see him go down there and put his best foot forward.

“Hopefully he can run a cracker of a race and we are definitely going to have a ball of fun with him.”

If everything goes to plan, Saturday could be the first of multiple Sydney assignments for Shaggy.

Kehoe, who trains out of Wyong, had originally earmarked the Wellington Boot as his autumn target but could be swayed into a change of plans if Shaggy can continue on his upward trajectory.

“We will play it by ear,” he said.

“If he was to put them away this week we will have a crack at the Todman Stakes and then we’d have to sum it up from there if we will go the Slipper path.

“But he would have to be competitive this week or put them away and then we would talk about the Slipper.

“This week will give us a good gauge and we will know more after Saturday, but they will know he is there because he’s way better than average.”

Shaggy has blitzed them again with @JimmyOrman on board! pic.twitter.com/3eb2thsMUZ

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 25, 2025

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Shaggy has led them up and proved impossible to catch in both of his impressive wins to date.

He put 5-3/4 lengths on rivals in his debut win over 900m at Coffs Harbour before backing it up with a dominant 2-1/2 length triumph over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast.

Despite the two eye-catching frontrunning performances, Kehoe says Shaggy won’t necessarily find himself in front again.

“He didn’t need to lead up at Sunny and I did say to the jockey (James Orman), don’t be afraid to sit off them,” Kehoe said.

“Aaron (Bullock) knows him and has trialled him. He is pretty bullish about him and I would say Aaron will probably ride him a bit more neutral.

“I will leave it up to Aaron and he can work it on the day.”

Shaggy was the first winner for first season sire Sandbar and was due to go through last year’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale but was withdrawn and retained to race by breeders Kooringal Stud.

Kehoe had luck with the family with Shaggy’s city winning sister Moonlight Grace while he’s also got I Want This.

“Kooringal rang me and asked if I wanted to give him a go and we went from there,” Kehoe said.

“I think Sandbar himself was a half handy horse and I break in a horses and have done a few by him, they really tick the boxes.

“You break them in and it’s likely breaking in the big stallions like your Snitzels, they are very smart animals.”

Shaggy is a $5 chance in Pierro Plate betting with the Michael Freedman-trained Pallaton heading the betting at $2.40 in his first run since winning in thrilling fashion in December.

Chris Waller’s United States is at $5.50 while Comedy is $9.50.

Originally published as ’He’s way better than average’: Wyong trainer Allan Kehoe mulls Golden Slipper tilt for 2025 Pierro Plate contender Shaggy