| The sizzling Melbourne Spring Carnival for Shadhavar reached the elite level at Sandown on Saturday when she scored a dominant win in the $1 million Group One CF Orr Stakes (1200m). |
| Close to the leader Beiwacht for the first two thirds of the race, the Tom Dabernig trained star struck the front on straightening and from that point the result was never in doubt as she found plenty under Kerrin McEvoy. Today’s Group One success followed a pair of back to back group victories over the carnival. Prior to that she popped across to Murray Bridge where she was beaten in the feature flying on Cup Day. “That was five weeks between runs, and we thought an interstate trip would be good to boost her confidence,” Dabernig said. “And when she got rolled, it wasn’t good for the horse or trainer’s confidence.” At her previous run at Murray Bridge she secured her first feature success when she won the Magic Millions SA 3YO & 4YO earlier in the year. “I think that when we got her to 1400 is when she really went to another level, and her three runs at this distance.” “She’s now undefeated and when this Group One was on our doorstep, I said we’re mad not to have a try because when these mares get in form like this, the purple patch that we talk of, you really have to take advantage of it.” “And today, the way the race panned out, we followed James McDonald, and it probably helped us. We were able to pop off it, it gave us the horse to take us into the race, and I must admit, I thought she looked the winner a long way out.” “I didn’t want to go the early crow, but she really grabbed the race by the scruff of the neck and it was a good, strong win.” The only issue connections had leading into the race was confirming a rider with her usual partner Craig Williams already booked to ride (eventual runner-up) Pericles. Enter the Sydney based proven big race rider Kerrin McEvoy. “Joe (O’Neill, Prime Thoroughbreds) has got to be thanked for that. He was on the front foot, and we’ve got to thank Craig (Williams). He’s been a big part of Shadhavar through the way, and he’d already made a commitment to Pericles.” “Kerrin and I go back a long way. He was an apprentice at Lindsay Park when I actually used to ride track work back then. So even before he started race riding, and I know his father Phil and Tony, of course, they’re sort of like part of the family as well.” A proud Dabernig was glad to secure a maiden elite level win in his own right. His Warrnambool based Dabernig Racing stables have been churning out the winners. “We must thank our staff. I’ve got a fantastic assistant trainer, Dara O’Meachair, who’s been with me for I think 13 years. My wife Cassi, they’re all part of the team. Cian Moody is actually the strapper who we sponsor, and he’s the head lad in the stable. So it’s a big team effort.” “Warrnambool, we went there (to be based). The horses for us come first, and we thought it was a great environment to train, utilise the beach, the country environment. I love galloping my horses on grass, they barely ever go on any sort of synthetic surface.” “She’s a classic example of a horse we had since a yearling, and she’s been able to develop and get to Group One level. So, it gives everyone a big thrill.” “It’s a real racing community, and everyone in the town has often got a share in a horse. The local butcher, the bank manager, everyone, racing’s alive and well in Warrnambool, most definitely,” Dabernig added. Shadhavar has been an incredible investment for her connections. The China Horse Club bred star was purchased by Joe O’Neill’s Prime Thoroughbreds from The Chase draft for $85,000 at the 2023 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale. With her latest success – her ninth from just 20 starts – her prizemoney haul has raced past $1.37 million. Winning rider Kerrin McEvoy turned back to clock to salute for some connections he’s had a long history with. “That was really exciting,” a beaming McEvoy said. “Really pleased to get the ride on her, and well done to Joe.” “Joe and Tom have been having a great run and it was nice to get the call up to come down. They decided to have a crack at the stumps here with this mare, who’s in great form, and when Joe rang, I was more than happy to come down.” “I had bits and bobs at home, so I came down thinking she’s got a live chance. She got it right. She jumped and had a nice spot and she really relished those conditions.” “Tom gave me good confidence. He said, ‘Look, if you get the first half right, just let her use her action.’ And it was her first run at Sandown, but she was up and outside Beiwacht pretty early, as we approached the 400, and he didn’t really sort of take me anywhere.” “And I said, ‘well, I’m off and home, going for home here now. So I let her stride, and she loved that ground. She loved the uphill finish, and she did the rest. So good, bold bit of training and placement by Tom and Joe, they’ve done a great job.” “It’s exciting for them. They’ve been doing a fantastic job. Joe selects quality horses for nice parcels of money. He doesn’t go for the big stuff and he’s been having a great run. They’ve been winning races left, right and centre.” “I think it might be Tom’s first Group One on his own,” McEvoy added. “I’ve known Tom since I was an apprentice back in our Lindsay Park days, and haven’t ridden for Tom on his own for or since he’s gone out on his own – it’s really pleasing to get this win for him.” Shadhavar, like crowd favourite Pride of Jenni, is a daughter of Blue Diamond Stakes winner Pride of Dubai. Her dam, the Adelaide winning Sebring mare Cross Legend, is a half sister to Group Two winner and Group One placed sire Thronum and stakes winning juvenile Cythera. Meanwhile, the other $1 million feature on the Sandown card, the Group Three Thoroughbred Club Stakes was swept by another of Magic Millions’ flagbearers over the carnival. Natural Fling, a Home Affairs filly who cost McEvoy Racing and Belmont Bloodstock Agency $550,000 from Yarraman Park Stud, scored a dominant all the way victory in the rich event for three-year-olds. Earlier in her preparation Natural Fling ran eventual Coolmore Stud Stakes winner The Next Episode to a photo finish second in the Group Two Danehill Stakes. Interestingly The Next Episode and Natural Fling ran 1-2 in May’s Magic Millions National 2YO Classic under the lights at the Gold Coast. In that race Marffiano was fifth. That horse won the Group Three Blue Sapphire Stakes. It certainly pays to buy from Magic Millions – and also watch from the form from MM Race Series races no matter they are run. For good measure the reigning Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic winner Maria Lucia was a winner at Ascot on Day One of the Pinnacles. Winner: Shadhavar Breeding: Pride of Dubai-Cross Legend (Sebring) Race: MRC CF Orr Stakes G1 (1400m) Sold for: $85,000 Sale: 2023 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale Earnings: $1,373,090 Breeder: China Horse Club Racing Pty Ltd Vendor: The Chase Buyer: Prime Thoroughbreds Owners: J O’Neill, R G Racing, P Callaghan, J Bagnoux, BZMW Racing, A Stuart-Menteth, J Sellars, D Morrow, L Robins, J Riordan, P Couper, N Rance, T Weller, Miss L Sheraton, R Sheraton, King Frog Racing, Rayson Racing, Oodles of Ants Racing, J Stawell & J Saltmarsh Trainer: Tom Dabernig (Warrnambool) |
