John O’Shea wheels out the big guns for winter assault

GODOLPHIN has only been a bit player in Queensland since John O’Shea took the reins, but that could change over the next month, starting with Saturday’s Hollindale Stakes.

Old North will tackle the big boys in the Hollindale Stakes on Saturday. Picture: Simon Bullard

GODOLPHIN has only been a bit player in Queensland since John O’Shea took the reins, but that could change over the next month, starting with Saturday’s Hollindale Stakes.

O’Shea has the two Hollindale favourites, Hauraki and Old North, in addition to It’s Somewhat in the Gold Coast Group 2 feature, while Impending is set to start a hot favourite in the Ken Russell Memorial. He also has Circular and Montignac in the Gold Coast Bracelet.

Since O’Shea became Sheikh Mohammed’s — and subsequently Godolphin’s — head Australian trainer, he has claimed 56 black-type races, but of those, Listed winner Mohave is the only one in Queensland.

With 35 nominations across the winter Group 1 races this year, it is clear the stable has targeted the carnival more closely.

O’Shea was pleased to hear reports of a drying track for his three Hollindale runners.

“The three-year-old (Old North) is very good but he needs firm ground,” O’Shea said. “He’s not as good when he’s getting his toe in the ground. He’s got a really good turn of foot on firm ground.

“The curator (Steve Andrews) has given us an indication it will get to a (Good) four. It’s not a shifty surface, so I think that will be OK for him.”

Old North is not among nominations for the Queensland Derby because O’Shea believes 2000m is his max at this stage.

“He just gets 10 furlongs. He will get 10 furlongs at Doomben, he runs it just at Rosehill and probably just a stretch at Randwick.’’

O’Shea said there was “not much between It’s Somewhat and Hauraki, evidenced by their finishing positions in the Queen Elizabeth’’.

HOLLINDALE STAKES

Gold Coast, Saturday

Group 2 (1800m)

No.	Horse (Barrier)	Trainer	Jockey	Weight
1	VOLKSTOK'N'BARRELL (12)	D Logan & C Gibbs	B Shinn	59kg
2	HAURAKI (2)	J O'Shea	J McDonald	59kg
3	EXCESS KNOWLEDGE (14)	Ms G Waterhouse	Ms T Harrison	59kg
4	LEEBAZ (6)	M, W, J Hawkes	M Cahill	59kg
5	SIR MOMENTS (9)	S O'Dea	P Hammerlsey	59kg
6	STRAWBERRY BOY (11)	C Waller	J Lloyd	59kg
7	IT'S SOMEWHAT (8)	J O'Shea	D Browne	59kg
8	KOOL KOMPANY (7)	C Waller	R Fradd	59kg
9	SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD (10)	D Vandyke	B Spriggs	59kg
10	HONEY TOAST (4)	B Currie	J Byrne	59kg
11	PUCCINI (13)	D Weir	G Colless	59kg
12	SAKHEE'S SOLDIER (5)	M Baker & A Forsman	M Cameron	59kg
13	SPIRIT JIM (3)	C Waller	J Collett	59kg
14	OLD NORTH (1)	J O'Shea	T Clark	56.5kg

“Hauraki’s rider reported that he didn’t appreciate the wet track at all in the Queen Elizabeth, so I’m prepared to overlook that run.

“It’s Somewhat had to work hard for a long way in the Queen Elizabeth, which told on his finishing effort and he arrives nice and fresh for the 1800m.’’

O’Shea said Impending had done everything right since his easy Rosehill debut win.

“It’s just about getting some miles into his legs before the spring. He looks a talent, but he’s still a way away in terms of seasoning and being fully developed,” he said.

Of his two Bracelet runners, O’Shea believes Montignac is the one more likely to press onto the Oaks. “Circular is a bit brilliant for the Oaks. 1800m at the Coast is probably as far as she wants,” he said.

Hauraki will be out to enhance his Doomben Cup hopes in the Hollindale Stakes. Picture: Mark Evans

â–  SUNSHINE Coast apprentice Steph Lacy posted a career highlight when she won the National Apprentice Series race at Murray Bridge on Wednesday.

Lacy only earned her provincial licence on Tuesday and was able to steer home $7 pop Beleaguer in the junior riders’ contest.

Originally published as John O’Shea wheels out the big guns for winter assault