Everest can wait as O’Shea maps out Satono Glow’s spring
John O’Shea and Tom Charlton have declined an approach about a berth in the A$20 million Gr.1 Everest (1200m) for Satono Glow (NZ) (Satono Aladdin), preferring to give their promising New Zealand-bred filly time to develop before considering a tilt at the race next year.
The daughter of Satono Aladdin returned with victory in the Gr.3 Cap D’Antibes Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on September 12, taking her record to three wins from four starts.
But while Everest interest is encouraging, O’Shea believes the assignment would come too soon for a horse still in the early stages of her career.
“We respectfully declined. She’s not ready,” O’Shea said of the Everest approach.
“We can continue to build her profile and it’s a race that’s obviously on our agenda for next year. By the time we get to next year, she would have had 10 runs.
“If she’s good enough, she’ll warrant a position next year. But to go there this year, when she’s had such a light campaign and is at an early stage of her career, wouldn’t be in her best interests or her owners’ best interests.”
Instead, Satono Glow will follow a three-race spring program, beginning with the Gr.2 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on October 10.
The Gr.1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington follows three weeks later on October 31, before the A$1 million Gr.3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m) at Sandown on November 14.
The program offers opportunities to build her profile against her own age group while allowing the stable to work towards a potential Everest bid with a more seasoned filly.
“She’ll get plenty of opportunities to race for good money,” O’Shea said.
“Hopefully we’ll have her going well enough this time next year that she warrants consideration.”
A carefully selected program is also taking shape for fellow New Zealand-bred stablemate Linebacker, a son of Super Seth, who resumed with a fourth placing behind General Salute in the Gr.3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) at Randwick last weekend.
The slowly run nature of the race added to the merit of his closing effort in O’Shea’s assessment, with the trainer looking towards the Alan Brown Stakes.
“He’s fantastic. It was a slowly run race and, outside of The Shorts, he had the best sectionals of the day,” O’Shea said.
“Zac (Lloyd) gave him a beautiful ride and he came on beautifully from that, so we look forward to going to the Alan Brown in two weeks.
“I might give him a little tick-over trial in the interim because he’s still a little bit wintery in his coat. He might just need another trial to bring him on, but he’s got his foot on the till and we’re very pleased with the way he’s going.”
The A$1.5 million Gr.3 Alan Brown Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on October 10 offers the same prizemoney as the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick a week earlier, with O’Shea viewing it as a suitable stepping stone for Linebacker.
“It’s worth good money, it’s early in his campaign and I think it’s a nice progression for him,” he said.
Beyond the Alan Brown, O’Shea has the A$1 million Five Diamonds Prelude (1500m) in mind before preparing Linebacker for the A$2 million Gr.2 The Ingham (1600m) at Randwick on December 12.
Already a Group One winner, Linebacker does not need to keep tackling the strongest company to deliver a rewarding campaign for his owners.
“There’s a lot of really good money around without having to be at the elite level,” O’Shea said.
“We’re just going to try to duck and weave a little bit with him and build some confidence.
“He can give a good result for his ownership. He’s a Group One winner already, but he doesn’t necessarily have to race at Group One level to do well for them.”
