Exciting filly Shamadan gets shot in town this Saturday after brilliant debut win

Murwillumbah trainer Matt Dunn is confident Shamadan has what it takes to measure up in town as she prepares to head to Royal Randwick this Saturday.

Trainer Matt Dunn believes Shamadan, a filly that went through the sales unwanted, has the talent to enhance her unblemished record at Royal Randwick this Saturday.

Shamadan didn’t make her reserve of $30,000 at the 2023 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale with Miranda Park’s Gary and Helen O’Meara keeping the filly to race with several of Dunn’s clients.

The daughter of emerging stallion Tassort made a sensational start to life on the track with a dominant 3½-length success on her home track at Murwillumbah last month.

She will attempt to repeat the effort in the Schweppes 2YO Open Handicap (1100m).

Shamadan (Tassort) another nice 2yo winner for Tassort and @mattydunnracing. Dont miss lot 329 @mmsnippets bred on same cross. A quality filly. @[e-mail]/jFXM8c2fFV

— Emirates Park (@EmiratesPark) May 24, 2024

“The only risk will be it’s all a bit too much, too quick with the trip to Sydney,” Dunn said.

“That would be the only reason she wouldn’t run as well as she did first up because she is the same horse, probably a bit better actually.

“She weighs a bit more than she did first up which is probably a good sign. We will see how she goes because she surprised me a bit because I had coming in this prep, trialling and going to the paddock but she has continued to step up really well.”

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Dunn has taken further confidence with the knowledge that Shamadan will handle expected heavy conditions in Sydney after thriving on a wet track first up.

Shamadan is the equal $5 favourite on Saturday alongside Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained filly Madrina.

Dunn won’t be on track to watch Shamadan as he eyes an elusive Group 1 victory with Oceans Of Energy in the $700,000 Queensland Oaks (2200m).

Oceans Of Energy is lining up in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks. Picture: Grant Peters, Trackside Photography

Oceans Of Energy is an $81 outsider in the Oaks but Dunn expects the daughter of Dundeel to run better than that price suggests from the inside draw.

“From the gate we will get an opportunity to ride her properly,” Dunn said.

“On the Sunshine Coast she was in the worst part of the track and you don’t want to be shooting three clear their if you can avoid it, then the other day she was three deep with no cover.

“From that gate she probably box seats and gets a decent run at least.”

Originally published as Exciting filly Shamadan gets shot in town this Saturday after brilliant debut win