Sghirripa, the emerging South Australian sprinter sired by Lonhro, is primed for the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate following a convincing victory in a 1000m barrier trial at Morphettville last week.
Trained by Shane and Cassie Oxlade, the four-year-old has demonstrated his potential by winning four of his previous five outings, including a notable triumph in the Group 3 Standish Handicap (1200m).
“Kayla (Crowther, jockey) was happy, he did what he had to do,” Shane Oxlade said of Sghrippa’s trial.
“He had seven or eight days in the paddock and had a bit of evens and then a half-mile gallop by himself, so it was to get him moving again and gives me a few weeks to do a bit more with him.
“He had a blow but not a big blow, so he pulled up pretty good.”
Expressing confidence in Sghirripa’s potential, Oxlade remarked, “You can rate a horse but then they have to show you they are that good, and you’ve got to get them there, and so far we’ve been able to do that.
“He has to take the next step, but I don’t think there’s any issues that he will.
“I am pretty happy and getting pretty excited to get to these races.”
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