Stradbroke Handicap: Star filly Ghisoni to skip group 1 to contest Dane Ripper Stakes

TRAINER John O’Shea has confirmed star filly Ghisoni won’t run in the Stradbroke, Ambience is primed for the Queensland Oaks, and Holler is bound for Royal Ascot.

Godolphin’s star colt Ghisoni will contest the Dane Ripper Stakes on Stradbroke Day. Picture: Grant Peters

GHISONI is out of the Stradbroke Handicap, Ambience is primed for the Queensland Oaks, and Holler is bound for Royal Ascot.

It was a big news day for the Godolphin stable on Tuesday which began with trainer John O’Shea confirming Ghisoni won’t run in the Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm on June 11.

Ghisoni was an outstanding winner of the Glenlogan Park Stud Stakes at Doomben last Saturday and was among the favourites for the Stradbroke but the decision has been to run the filly in the Dane Ripper Stakes on the same day.

“We feel this is a more suitable race for the filly,’’ O’Shea said. “She has come through her Doomben win in great order and we are looking forward to her next start.’’

The Godolphin stable hasn’t ruled out extending Ghisoni’s winter campaign to include the Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 25.

O’Shea said the Godolphin stable is now concentrating on trying to secure another major race win with Ambience flying the stable flag in Saturday’s Queensland Oaks.

Ambience, winner of the Wakeful Stakes earlier in the season, has placed in the Victoria Oaks (third) and ATC Australian Oaks (second).

“As we saw with Raw Impulse in the McKell Cup last Saturday, 2400m is a whole new pain barrier and one thing about Ambience is she is a genuine 2400m filly,’’ O’Shea said.

“Forget she went around at Doomben last start, nothing went right for her. She has done everything right since and she is going to be hard to beat in a very open race.’’

O’Shea’s Group 1-winning colt Holler is due to depart for England late Tuesday to prepare for Royal Ascot later this month.

Holler will fly the flag for Australia at Royal Ascot. Picture: Jenny Evans

Holler, the only Australian-trained runner at the famous English race carnival this year, is likely to contest the Diamond Jubilee Stakes over 1200m on June 18.

“Although Holler has never raced on a straight course, we believe he is the type that will run well,’’ O’Shea said. “He is a big, strong colt and has beaten the older horses at weight-for-age.’’

STRADBROKE HCP

Eagle Farm, June 11

$4.40 Azkadellia

$6 Black Heart Bart, Counterattack

$8 Malaguerra, Music Magnate

$11 Under The Louvre

$15 Delectation

$19+ Others

MARKET: TAB FIXED ODDS

Originally published as Stradbroke Handicap: Star filly Ghisoni to skip group 1 to contest Dane Ripper Stakes