John O’Shea will chase Group One glory in Sydney rather than head to Melbourne with Lost And Running (NZ) (Per Incanto), following his win in Saturday’s Gr.3 Southern Cross Stakes (1200m).
The son of Per Incanto was a dominant winner of the 1200m contest and provided O’Shea with the first part of his double at Randwick.
“I’m very happy with the way he went,” O’Shea said on Sunday.
“He pulled up well, so it’s a good start to the campaign.”
Saturday’s victory took Lost And Running’s career tally to eight wins from thirteen starts, and he will now head on to the Gr.1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick on March 5 for his next assignment.
“He’s matured a bit and really learned his craft as we’ve gone along steadily with him,” O’Shea said.
“He’s starting to develop into a really nice sprinter.”
O’Shea confirmed that The Everest (1200m), which Lost And Running finished fourth in last year, would be the main goal for the five-year-old this year.
Lost And Running was bred by JML Bloodstock’s Lib Petagna and raised at Blandford Lodge in Matamata.
Petagna retains an interest in the impressive galloper, who races in the colours of Carl Holt, with partners including Frank and Christine Cook and O’Shea’s wife Isabel. Lost And Running is by Little Avondale Stud’s Per Incanto, with the proven son of Street Cry represented by 33 yearlings at the forthcoming New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales which commence on March 7.
