O’Shea back in the game and looking to win
JOHN O’Shea’s post-Godolphin career starts in earnest today when he saddles up his first runner since his split with the 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 Parlay Vous lines up in race five 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,” O’Shea said.
“But his runs this time in have been good in probably a bit stronger grade.
“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.”
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, scratched Excelsior from race one at Canterbury today to instead line up at Gosford tomorrow.
“Excelsior is a very nice horse but whether he is ready to execute at that level we will see,” he said.
“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 was based at Randwick before his three-year stint with Godolphin.
The trainer hopes to recommence his training career the best possible way with Parlay Vous.