Shillelagh - A Lethal Weapon

On the back of a quiet trial, smart mare Shillelagh (4 m Savabeel - Trocair, by Flying Spur) resumed with an impressive win in the $17,500 Loaders Landscape Supplies Rating 65 1200 metres on Saturday at Wanganui.

Race day rider Cameron Lammas had plenty more in the tank when trialling her behind runners over 950 metres on 9 November at Cambridge, and it was plain to see in her preliminary that she had tightened up beautifully for the outing.

Bred and owned by Christopher Grace QSM and his wife Susanna Grace, Shillelagh was put aside after scoring a smart debut win, with Lisa Allpress aboard, over 1200 metres in April at Woodville.

Appreciative of fire out the track, as was the case on debut, Shillelagh pushed forward to take up a handy position on the inner. She worked up to trail at the 800m, was clear on straightening and once Lammas gave her a gentle reminder she put the race to bed.

Shortening late to $3.70 & $1.80, Shillelagh ran the 1200 metres in smart time (1:10.7) on Dead5 footing and was easing at the line when clear by one and a quarter lengths.

Shillelagh is the fifth Savabeel (Zabeel) foal from the mare, after the first foaling resulted in producing Brisbane Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m) winner Tullamore [$827,000 in stakes], and Te Akau principal David Ellis purchased her year younger three-year-old sister Grazia for $100,000 at the 2014 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale from the draft of Little Avondale Stud.

Although bred to run considerably further - boasting Sir Ivor (Sir Gaylord), the sire of the mighty stallion Sir Tristram - on both sides of her pedigree, Shillelagh exudes a quality in both performance and appearance that enables her to sprint well fresh and it augurs very well for her future.

It was the 34^th win of the season for premiership leading trainers Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards.

“She's a pretty smart filly and has been given plenty of time by Christopher Grace,” said Richards. “We rapt to see her start on such a good note, and she's two from two now.

“We'll take her along quietly and work her through the grades. But Christopher will breed from her, so the goal will be black type."

Picture credit - www.raceimages.co.nz