Last Saturday’s brilliant Doomben winner Ghisoni is no certain starter in the Group 1 $1.5m AAMI Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 11.
Ghisoni is no certain starter in the Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm. Photo by Daniel Costello.
The Godolphin owned Ghisoni took her record to four wins from six race starts when she ran sizzling time to win the Group 3 $150,000 Glenlogan Park Stakes (1350m).
That win secured her spot on the third line of betting for the Stradbroke Handicap at $6.50 at Ladbrokes.com.au behind classy mare Azkadellia at $4.60 and Goodwood winner Black Heart Bart at $5.50.
Godolphin’s Australian manager Henry Plumptre said that trainer John O’Shea will monitor the filly’s recovery from Saturday’s run and the team would make a decision later in the week if Ghisoni runs against the open class sprinters in the Stradbroke Handicap or takes on the fillies and mares in the Group 2 $200,000 Dane Ripper Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm on the same day.
If she stays up against her own sex, the Lonhro filly will then progress onto the Group 1 $500,000 Sky Racing Tattersall’s Club Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 25.
“John is flying up there (Monday) and will have a good look at her. We will talk to (Global racing manager) John Ferguson and he will talk to Sheikh Mohammed on whether to run or not,” Plumtre told The Courier-Mail.
“I think it will be more likely she will run in the Dane Ripper and then go to the Tatts Tiara.”
“There’s no such thing as an easy Stradbroke. People like to tell you it’s a weak year, but when you get in, it’s a bloody hard race to win.
“The focus for her is ensuring she has a long term career.”
Stable rider James McDonald has established a good relationship with Ghisoni and has been on board for all her four wins and will team up with her again if they elect to go to the Dane Ripper Stakes but will have to give up the ride if she runs in the Stradbroke Handicap after being allocated 50.5kg, a weight that too light for McDonald.
“For my sake I hope she doesn’t go to the Stradbroke, but the team will make the decision which is best for her,” McDonald said.
“She’s magic. She’s got so much improvement in her, she’s capable of anything.”
Early market order for the Stradbroke Handicap at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.60 Azkadellia, $5.50 Black Heart Bart, $6.50 Ghisoni, $8 Counterattack, $9 Malaguerra, $11 Under The Louvre, $15 Delectation, Fell Swoop, Music Magnate, Takedown, $17 Japonisme, Kaepernick, Artlee. $18 Miss Promiscuity, $21 Danish Twist, Supido.
