Shoals small chance for big upset
SHOALS, small in stature but a giantkiller by nature, could produce another upset result in the mini-Everest showdown, the Group 2 $500,000 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
There are three Group 1 races at the Epsom meeting, but the Premiere is shaping as a scene-stealer with six of the eight runners having their final start before the $13 million The Everest (1200m) on October 13.
Trapeze Artist and Redzel, the early Everest favourites, share the top of Premiere betting at $2.90 ahead of Everest rivals In Her Time ($6.50), Invincible Star ($7.50) and Santa Ana Lane ($8).
Shoals, trained by Anthony Freedman and a stablemate of Santa Ana Lane, is next in betting at $11 and goes to the Premiere Stakes after a first-up third behind Everest hopeful Nature Strip in the Moir Stakes earlier this month.
“The distance of the Premiere Stakes is more suitable for Shoals than the Moir Stakes,’’ Messara said. “She was run off her feet over the 1000m last start and they broke the Moonee Valley track record that day. But Shoals is improving with every run and we can’t wait for The Everest.’’
Messara described the Premiere Stakes field as “almost as juicy as The Everest’’.
“There’s the two Everest favourites clashing on Saturday and all these other up-and-comers — the Premiere Stakes is now a major, major race.
“This is what The Everest is doing, it is making races like the Premiere Stakes so good. The Everest is lifting the whole of Sydney’s spring carnival.’’