The Chris Waller-trained Lady Shenandoah will renew her rivalry with last year's Golden Slipper (G1) winner Lady Of Camelot when she lines up March 15 in the Coolmore Classic (G1) at Rosehill Gardens.
Lady Shenandoah has defeated the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained runner in both starts this season, first by 1.2 lengths in the Light Fingers Stakes (G2) before the gap was narrowed to 0.3 lengths in the Surround Stakes (G1) last time out. Now the rivalry moves to a track where Lady Of Camelot has a group 1 win last year.
A dual acceptor for the Phar Lap Stakes (G2), Lady Shenandoah has already been scratched from the 3-year-old feature in favor of the group 1 option.
"She's got nothing left to prove in terms of the group 2 Phar Lap," Waller said on his weekly runner update on 'X'. "I would use the Phar Lap if she was going to go beyond (a mile), but there is no guarantee that she will. Will she run in the Vinery, 2,000 meters? Unlikely. Will she freshen up and go to the Queen of the Turf? Possibly. Will she run in the Doncaster (Mile)? Maybe. We will see how she is this Saturday. There is a bit to play out."
Amelia's Jewel aiming to defy history
Group 1-winning mare Amelia's Jewel will need to defy recent history if she's to land the Coolmore Classic. The daughter of Siyouni will carry 58 kilograms. No horse carrying more than 57 kilograms has won the Coolmore since Sunline's dual wins in 2000 and 2002 under 60 kilograms.
"She will be giving weight away to some nice up-and-coming fillies and mares, it's never easy to carry top weight, but she's certainly the class horse of the field and it's nice to be going there off the back of a win,'' co-trainer Annabel Neasham said.
Josh Parr takes over the ride on Amelia's Jewel after James McDonald guided her to a first-up victory in the Guy Walter Stakes (G2) March 1.
"We've had a bit of luck with him on the brother Bosustow, so Peter Walsh is happy to have Josh on. He came and galloped her and he's looking forward to partnering her,'' Neasham said. "She's not normally a leader, but they gifted her the lead the other day, not sure they'll do the same again. It's all tempo related, just ride her where she's happy. She's got a great turn of foot. She ended up being ridden closer with the blinkers on at the end of last prep down in Melbourne, we've left them off for now. The main thing is just having her in her rhythm."
