Connections of Shohisha didn’t intentionally time her arrival at the Group 1 Coolmore Classic for a second-up appearance, yet it could turn out to be a smart move should she match her previous performances.
The four-year-old has secured victory in three out of her four second-up outings and, having recovered from a slight issue, handler David Payne feels confident she is primed to perform at her peak during Saturday’s meeting at Rosehill Gardens.
“She had a few setbacks along the way so that held us back a little bit,” Payne said.
“She just kicked the box. Nothing serious, but once you treat them you can’t run them.
“We’re very happy with her. She is spot-on for Saturday.”
With four career triumphs to her name, Shohisha kicked off her latest campaign with a respectable fourth-place finish behind this Saturday’s Coolmore Classic (1500m) opponent Verona Rose during the Guy Walter Stakes (1500m) held on February 28.
She now gets in 4kg lighter against that rival and has secured a handy midfield starting position from barrier six.
David Payne’s best effort in a Coolmore Classic came when Gallant Tess placed third behind Typhoon Tracy back in 2009, and he recognises that a smooth run will be vital for his runner this time around.
“I think she will be competitive. We’re going in happy with her, but in racing, you always need luck in running so hopefully it goes our way,” he said.
“We have been patient with her. We haven’t pushed her. We’ve just let her mature a bit because she was a light-framed baby.”
The seasoned trainer also has Persian Wonder entered in the Pago Pago Stakes (1200m), viewing it as a potential pathway to richer mile contests further into the carnival.
“I doubt he could win that over 1200, but he will be running on strongly. They just might be a bit sharp for him,” Payne said.
“He needs racing because he will be more effective over 1600 metres in those kind of races like the Fernhill Handicap or the Champagne Stakes.”
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