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Scratching sees Shamino set for Oakleigh Plate tilt

3 minute read

Kayla Crowther will forego two rides in Adelaide and jump on a plane to Melbourne on Saturday morning to partner veteran sprinter Shamino in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate at Sandown.

SHAMINO.
SHAMINO. Picture: Racing Photos

The first emergency only gained a start on Friday when last year's Goodwood winner Lombardo was scratched giving the pair their opportunity in one of the strongest editions of the time honoured feature.

"It's a huge thrill to get another opportunity in a Group 1 and I'm thankful to the Brook family and Phillip and Tommy (Stokes) for the chance to go over and ride him,'' Kayla Crowther said.

With 524 wins to her name in her short but successful career, Crowther in still searching for that elusive Group 1 win, her best result in eight rides at the highest level coming in this year's Goodwood when she finished seventh aboard Behemoth.

Shamino won just two of his first 11 starts before joining the Phillip Stokes stable in Adelaide and winning six of his next eight.

In 11 rides aboard the son of Shamus Award, Crowther has been in the saddle for five victories including the 2020 Listed Manihi Classic at Morphettville and the seven-year-old returns to Melbourne having upstaged his rivals by producing his customary big finishing burst to win the Listed Durbrige Stakes at Morphettville last time out.

"The old boy is flying,'' Crowther said.

"I don't think he's ever won a listed race like that! So he deserves his chance in a race like the Oakleigh Plate,'' she said.

And the feature being run at Sandown in 2023 is a bonus being a happy hunting ground for Shamino having won the Listed Doveton Stakes there in 2020.

"He goes back to Melbourne in career best form,'' Crowther said.

"It's a shame it's one of the strongest Oakleigh Plate fields we've seen for a while.

"But I like him drawing wide, the shoot suits him and we know he likes Sandown,'' she said.


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