Group One placed son of Contributer, Lion’s Roar (NZ) will resume in Saturday’s Gr.2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill for trainer John O’Shea, where he takes on a strong line-up which features Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls), North Pacific (Brazen Beau) and Peltzer (So You Think).
The gelding is the winner of three of his five starts and finished runner-up in the other two, including a valiant effort when beaten less than a length into second by Montefilia in the Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m).
Raced by Champion Thoroughbreds, who went to $65,000 to secure Lion’s Roar as a Karaka yearling, the three-year-old has had two solid trials in readiness for resumption, finishing a close-up sixth behind Discharged in his most recent 1000m trial.
“We’re very happy with Lion’s Roar, his preparation has been faultless which has reflected in his two trials,” O’Shea said.
“We go into Saturday’s race with a good foundation, albeit plenty of improvement. He looks to map very well and we’re really happy with where he’s at.”
With Rosehill a Heavy8 at present, O’Shea in not perturbed by the rain-affected conditions as his middle distance three-year-old resumes, while he also takes solace in the knowledge his multiple Group One winning sire Contributer, whom he trained, handled the conditions.
“He actually won his first race start on heavy ground and his father was very adept on it so I wouldn’t be too worried about him in the ground,” he said.
Also resuming for O’Shea is former Kiwi Rondinella (NZ) (Ocean Park), who kicks off over 1400m at Rosehill on Saturday, with her main aim being the Gr.3 Epona Stakes (1900m) on March 20.
