Trainer John O’Shea to aim progressive galloper Yorkshire at lucrative Randwick miles

Yorkshire continued on winning ways at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday but the stable remain in no rush with the emerging star.

Yorkshire added to his impressive resume at Rosehill Gardens. Picture: Jeremy Ng-Getty Images

Trainer John O’Shea has eyes for a pair of lucrative Royal Randwick miles later this year with progressive galloper Yorkshire following his latest success at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Yorkshire, sent out as a $1.60 favourite, enhanced his excellent record to five wins from seven starts with a sustained effort to score in the TAB Benchmark 88 Handicap (1500m).

Champion jockey James McDonald was adamant after the win that the gelding still hadn’t reached his ceiling with O’Shea now eager to test Yorkshire over the Randwick mile as he maps out a plan for some even bigger prizes later this year.

“I would love to give him a run at a mile at Randwick and if he was successful and able to run the trip, then we can set some targets for him later on in the season,” O’Shea said.

“The Big Dance and (The Ingham) are worth a bunch of money and he is down in the ratings and down in the weights so we will just try to protect him until then.”

The $3 million Big Dance (1600m) isn’t until the back end of the spring at Randwick on Tuesday, November 4 and Yorkshire has plenty of time to qualify for the race between now and then while the $2 million The Ingham (1600m) is the following month.

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A nation roars! Favourite Yorkshire wins the last at Rosehill with @mcacajamez in the saddle. @JohnOSheaRacingpic.twitter.com/P5mBxpvHu8

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 1, 2025

O’Shea and co-trainer Tom Charlton are preparing to welcome back two of their smartest three-year-olds this week with Group 1 placed gallopers Linebacker and Snow In May ready to return in the Group 3 $250,000 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick.

Linebacker is returning as a gelding after last featuring in the Golden Rose while Snow In May has been off the scene since her placing in the Flight Stakes.

“Linebacker came through his trial really good, I am really happy with him,” O’Shea said.

“We look forward to next Saturday in the Eskimo Prince.

“We will run two in that race, we will run the filly as well (Snow In May).

“She was good (in her trial) and we think three weeks into the Surround is better for her so she can have a little burn around on Saturday.”

Stallion prospect Schwarz could ensure it’s a massive weekend for the stable with the multiple Group 2 winner poised to hunt a maiden major in the Group 1 C F Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.