O’Shea off and running on his own

JOHN O’Shea’s post-Godolphin career starts in earnest today when he saddles up his first runners since his split with the international breeding and racing giant.

O’Shea officially left his role as Godolphin’s Australian head trainer in May and is eager to return to life as a Randwick trainer with a bang when potentially Excelsior (Race 1) and Parlay Vous (Race 5) line up at Canterbury today.

“I’m still learning a little about Parlay Vous and to me he is probably one run away from having his coat where it needs to be, but his runs this time in have been good in probably a bit stronger grade,” O’Shea said.

“He probably appreciates having his runs spaced and he looks to box seat nicely and it looks a race he can be competitive in if he runs up to his form. Excelsior is a very nice horse but whether he is ready to execute at that level we will see. I haven’t had him long and he had a trial at Randwick and didn’t execute as well as I would have liked, but he does look to me to be a horse of nice ability.”

O’Shea, who pleaded not guilty to two charges issued against him in the Godolphin strangles inquiry and is still awaiting a decision from stewards on those charges, also has Excelsior accepted for a race at Gosford tomorrow and he may run there instead.

O’Shea was based at Randwick before his three-year stint with Godolphin and is hoping to restart his training career on the best possible note with Parlay Vous.

“Any winner is nice when you’re looking to rebuild and it would be great for the ownership group,” he said. “I have 30 horses at the moment and we are just waiting for some renovations to get done so we can look to have the stable at full capacity, which is 48.

“I’m always grateful for the support I’ve received and I’m lucky I have maintained relationships with my old client base, even when I was at Godolphin. I had a nice break away and I have a good group of people around me and that makes it enjoyable.”

Bjorn Baker is confident Songlike can break her maiden status in today’s 3YO Maiden (1100m).

“Showtime is pretty good and there are a couple of unraced ones there but she should jump and put herself on speed from the inside gate,” Baker said.