Shoebill’s stamina to be put to the test

In-form filly Shoebill (NZ) (Per Incanto) is presented with an opportunity at Ellerslie on Saturday to convince connections she can be a worthy black-type contender over ground.

The daughter of Per Incanto has impressed in her last two starts up to a mile and another bold showing in the Cambridge Stud Handicap (2200m) will unlock future stakes options.

“We’re not convinced yet that she’s a staying filly, so it’s a chance for her to prove she can run a middle distance,” trainer Andrew Forsman said.

“If she runs really well, the most likely scenario would be to return to Ellerslie for the Championship Stakes (Gr.3, 2100m).”

Shoebill stepped up to a mile for the first time to break her maiden at Tauherenikau two runs back and followed up with a strong effort for second in a competitive age group line-up at Pukekohe.

“She’s just getting better and better and I thought her run off a slow tempo the other day was brilliant,” Forsman said.

“She has never quite given us the feeling that she would be a staying filly, but hopefully she can and that would give us a lot more options going forward.

“She has taken a lot longer than we thought to come to it and get her head around racing, but I think the penny has now dropped.”

Michael McNab was aboard last time out and will again take the ride at Ellerslie and will also partner stablemate Yaldi (NZ) (Ardrossan), who hasn’t won since last season’s Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m), in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Handicap (1300m).

“He’s got plenty of ability, but his racing pattern tends to see him need luck at times,” Forsman said.

“We’ve tried going forward on him and he can get a bit keen and doesn’t round his races off and going back he can be dictated to by how quickly they go in front.

“As we know, some of our races can be muddling run affairs and he’s been a victim of that as much as anything.

“He doesn’t make it easy on himself and if circumstances permit, he’s certainly good enough to win races like this.”

Forsman’s juvenile Vitalize (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) will make her debut in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1200m) with Matt Cartwright to guide the fortunes of the U S Navy Flag youngster.

“She’s probably not really a two-year-old, but she’s got through a few trials, so we’ll give her the opportunity to have a start or two,” he said.

“She will make a lovey three-year-old around the mile mark, but it certainly wouldn’t surprise to see her run a good, honest race on Saturday.”

Meanwhile, Autumn Queen (The Autumn Sun) will take her place in the Myracehorse 1600m off the back of a maiden success at Tauherenikau and a most recent sixth at Pukekohe.

“That was a little bit disappointing, albeit in a solid race and we will try and ride her a bit quieter on Saturday and hopefully she will hit the line better than she did last start,” Forsman said.