Stradbroke Handicap 2016: John O’Shea throws top filly Ghisoni in mix for Group 1 feature

JOHN O’Shea has a good idea of what a three-year-old filly needs to win a big winter feature and bookies took note on Wednesday when Ghisoni was a surprise nom for the Stradbroke.

John O'Shea is keen to boost Ghisoni’s rating. Picture: Jenny Evans

JOHN O’Shea has a good idea of what a three-year-old filly needs to win a big winter feature and bookmakers took note on Wednesday when his classy filly Ghisoni was a surprise nomination for the Stradbroke Handicap.

It had been indicated Ghisoni would spell for the spring but O’Shea has kept her in work with a view to building her rating.

Private Steer won the 2003 Stradbroke for O’Shea, while Sea Siren was a BTC Cup and Doomben 10,000 winner.

The trainer was succinct when asked to line up Ghisoni with that pair: “She’s not as good as Private Steer, (but) better than Sea Siren.

“We will see how she progresses over the next fortnight and we will make a call whether to bring her up after she trials on May 16.

“It’s all about getting her seasoned. She’s just a bit down in the ratings at the moment and the problem for her is that she’s not qualified for anything. If we can win a race somewhere (that would change).’’

UBET made Ghisoni, who should have clearly beaten Japonisme last start at Randwick, a $14 Stradbroke chance. Tab.com.au went even shorter at $11.

A key number in Thursday’s nominations for the seven Brisbane Racing Club Group 1 races was the 15 New Zealand horses, well up on last year’s entry from across the Tasman.

Chris Waller has 48 nominations for the carnival, with his pair of three-year-olds Japonisme ($6) and Counterattack ($7) regarded as the main dangers to Fell Swoop ($4.40) in the BTC Cup on May 14.

Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Darren Weir has his biggest contingent with 31 nominations, headed by Stradbroke fancy Black Heart Bart and Raw Impulse, who is rated second pick at $8 in the Doomben Cup on May 21.

Ghisoni has been nominated for the Stradbroke Handicap. Picture: Simon Bullard

Originally published as Stradbroke Handicap 2016: John O’Shea throws top filly Ghisoni in mix for Group 1 feature