Lady Shenandoah ($2.70) has continued her rise to stardom, claiming back-to-back Group 1 victories, as she surged clear to secure the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday afternoon.
The daughter of Snitzel chalked up her third Group 1 victory in only seven career starts on Saturday, storming over the top to stamp herself as one of the best fillies in Australia.
The Chris Waller barn had initial plans to send her around in the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) early on the program, however, the decision was made early in the week to send her around against the older horses.
It was Manaael () looking to make every post a winner in the early stages, while Lady Of Camelot ($5.00) was restrained with no luck to sit on the three-wide line throughout the journey.
Amelia’s Jewel () appeared to get every chance on the leaders’ back along the inside running rail, meanwhile Firestorm ($14.00) was one of the last ones turning for home.
Lady Shenandoah was pulled out to the centre of the course by James McDonald and looked set to put them away stylishly, however, Firestorm and Lady Of Camelot wouldn’t go away, with the star three-year-old lifting in the concluding stages to secure a gritty victory.
Chris Waller was on track to break down the win before suggesting the paddock may beckon for the ultra-talented filly.
“Pre-race it wasn’t perfect,” said Waller.
“It’s a warm Rosehill day, and she had a good sweat which scared me a little but it was a great ride from that draw to get into the spot that he did and that certainly saved a bit of petrol for late.
“The good fillies that we have had just kept getting better and better and better.
“She’s already there. So our job is to try and get her to that next level again – repeat success at Group One level. It’s not going to be easy for her and some of those great horses that we have had have been later maturers so I don’t like to compare – but Winx wasn’t doing this at this age.
“I do tend to change my mind a little bit as I’m getting older. I would say it is highly unlikely but I will speak to the owners – with due respect to them of course – and work out what she needs to do to be right in the spring.”
James McDonald then spoke after jumping off the star filly.
“She’s pretty good,” said McDonald.
“She’s doing the right things anyway. She wasn’t entitled to win, she was all out at the 100m, and she was worked up prior to the start which was a bit of a concern. Just whether that was her home track. But we were able to take a couple of minutes where she took a breath around at the start.
“She began well and fitted in and showed her quality fighting spirit. I think that she is a fast filly and as she gets older and starts filling out into her frame I think that she will come back in trip and be even faster.”
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