Blake Shinn to ride Alsephina in Coolmore Classic
Trainer Grant Williams remains confident that his talented mare Alsephina can bounce back from a frustrating Sydney debut and deliver a bold showing in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
The West Australian raider was a hard-luck story in the Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes (1400m) last start, finishing at the rear of the field despite having plenty to offer.
Williams, described it as a “hard watch” when Alsephina was blocked for a run in the straight and went to the line untested.
However, he believes that race should be ignored, and with top jockey Blake Shinn now taking the reins, she has a prime opportunity to show her true ability.
“I think the huge bonus is Blake Shinn jumping back on her,” Williams said.
“Anytime you can get him is great because he is a gun, and he knows her really well.”
Shinn, currently dominating the Victorian Jockeys Premiership with more than 111 wins for the season, has already enjoyed success aboard Alsephina, having partnered her to victory in the Group 2 Stocks Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley last spring.
Williams has been overseeing Alsephina’s Sydney preparation and is satisfied with how she has come through her first-up effort.
“She got through the run really easy, and we have been pretty happy with her since then,” he said.
“Her work on Saturday on the grass was good, and again on Tuesday. It’s a perfect draw for her, so we are happy with that.”
Despite her talent, Alsephina is rated a $26 outsider with top online bookmakers in the Coolmore Classic market, with star filly Lady Shenandoah installed as the $2.35 favourite with after being redirected from the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes which is also run on Saturday.
However, Alsephina has shown she is more than capable of competing against top-class opposition, and a strong performance on Saturday could set her up for further Group 1 targets.
With a gun jockey in the saddle, a favourable draw, and a preparation that suggests she is ready to fire, Williams and his team are optimistic Alsephina can finally get the luck she deserves and prove she is a genuine Group 1 contender.
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