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There’s no way trainer John O’Shea is conceding the $1m Bondi Stakes (1600m) is a race in two at Randwick on Saturday and believes Cotehele can be a force with a slight change of tactic.
The Tavistock colt could only manage fourth behind Bondi favourites Hilal and Coastwatch in the Group 2 Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) two weeks ago and has almost three lengths to turn around.
O'Shea said Cotehele had to be ridden a lot closer than he would have liked in that race, sitting outside the leader, and has the opportunity this time around to seek some cover.
"I was happy with the effort, we just ride him a pair back this week,'' O'Shea said.
"It was a good seasoning run, he had a hard run and a good day out. He will get a lovely run in behind the speed and he can show that turn of foot he has."
The Randwick trainer has always held that Cotehele is a horse on the way up and his form so far supports that view.
His only two unplaced runs have been in Group 2 company but O'Shea argues both had merit, his two wins were on good tracks at the provincials where he swept home from off the pace and his other start was on a heavy track.
Cotehele was $6.50 with TAB on Friday and Sam Clipperton takes the ride, as he does on O'Shea's talented mare Rocha Clock in the $2m The Invitation (1400m).
The five-year-old made a solid return finishing eighth in the Group 3 The Nivision (1200m) two weeks ago, beaten 2.6 lengths by stablemate Minhaaj, and O'Shea has set her to peak second-up.
"We are very happy with her and that's why we were keen to get a run,'' he said.
"We head there with a bit of optimism, it's a difficult race worth a lot of money but she's going to get a good run in the race."
He rates the favourite Entriviere as the horse to beat in The Invitation and would like to see Clipperton find a spot around midfield on Rocha Clock.
Stayer Sound Of Cannons is winless in 12 starts for O'Shea but he's often teased a win isn't far off and the trainer is upbeat about his chances in the Listed $140,000 ClubsNSW City Tattersalls Club Cup (2400m).
He started $3 when running fourth on a heavy track at Warwick Farm under 59kg last start and drops 6kg on Saturday.
"He hasn't had a lot of luck this time in but we're happy with where he's at,'' he said.
"Back on top of the ground from a soft draw he should get a nice run. I wouldn't be surprised to see him turn around."
O'Shea said Lost And Running came through his fourth placing in last weekend's TAB Everest in great style and is set to run in the $1m Classique Legend Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill next weekend.
