Blinkered Sidestep eyeing Group I success

GODOLPHIN trainer John O’Shea has reached for the headgear once again as Sidestep attempts to win an elusive Group I in the Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot in Perth on Saturday.

Sidestep has already earned $1.34 million from his 14 starts, which have resulted in three wins, but a Group I victory would complete his resume.

He has never raced outside black-type company and has worn blinkers and winkers at various times in his career. He didn’t have headgear for his first-up eighth in the Darley Classic at Flemington, where he had little luck late.

‘‘That wasn’t that bad a run and he hit the line really well,’’ O’Shea said. ‘‘This race was always there and I think the blinkers will really help him. They will just sharpen him up.’’

Sidestep has never won in blinkers, although the first time he wore them he was runner-up in Overreach’s Golden Slipper and also had them on when fourth behind Zoustar, Dissident and Bull Point in the Golden Rose.

The 4-year-old’s spring preparation has been interrupted, which made Perth an ideal option. He arrived in the west late last week and will gallop in blinkers today, in preparation for the 1200 metre sprint, where he will be ridden by Hong Kong-based jockey Nash Rawiller.

‘‘He has settled in better over in Perth than he did in Melbourne, which is encouraging,’’ O’Shea said. ‘‘The gallop on Tuesday will top him and there was always going to be natural improvement from that first-up run.

‘‘It is a nice option at this time of year to have a Group I for him to run in.’’

Manikato Stakes runner-up Angelic Light is $3.50 favourite for the Winterbottom Stakes, which is likely to be dominated by southern state visitors. Robbie Griffiths opted to miss the Flemington options with the talented mare and target this race.

Moment Of Change, the Winterbottom runner-up last year, is a $5 hope, while Sidestep and Bel Sprinter are on the $10 line and Eclair Big Bang rounds out the visitors at $13.

Magnifisio won the main leadup in Perth, the Group II Steere Stakes, and is considered the best of the local hopes at $7, with Shining Knight, winner of the Group III Colonel Reeves Stakes on Melbourne Cup day at Ascot, kept safe at $10.

The Winterbottom is part of a Group I double at Ascot on Saturday. Tasmania’s The Cleaner has been installed the $4 favourite for the $1 million Railway Stakes. The Perth horses have a stronger hand in the mile but Alma’s Fury, Bass Strait and Smokin’ Joey have also made the trip west.

Meanwhile, Godolphin will continue to tick over its Sydney operation after registering a winning treble at Rosehill on Saturday.

‘‘I will give 2-year-old Italy [which was runner-up on debut] another run and promising 3-yearold Federal will step up to Saturday grade,’’ O’Shea said. ‘‘We could have Terai in the Ballarat Cup down in Melbourne.’’