Sheeza Belter looking to bounce back in Surround Stakes
Sheeza Belter threw heavy punches early and faded late last start, but part-owner Justin Warwick has promised she won’t make that same mistake in the Surround Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.
The star filly ended up a disappointing seventh in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes over 1200m on February 11.
As a result, she has drifted out to $18 with online bookmakers for the upcoming Group 1 feature over 1400m, with In Secret the $2.20 favourite for James Cummings out of the Godolphin stable.
However, many still regard the Peter and Paul Snowden runner as one of the top chances, with Willie Pike aboard from barrier nine in this race for three-year-old fillies.
And Warwick believes she will be better for that effort now she’s second-up going into her weekend assignment.
“Obviously, she’s not first-up. William will probably ride her differently and go back,” Warwick told HorseBetting.com.au.
“She needs cover and we know that.
“Hopefully it (Light Fingers Stakes) was only a scratch match. We got it wrong, and we can regroup and ride her back.
“It’ll be a furlong extra in the Surround Stakes.”
2023 Light Fingers Stakes – Sheeza Belter (7th)
With plenty to improve upon, Warwick is expecting a strong showing in Saturday’s $600,000 race.
Just 10 starts into her career, Sheeza Belter already boasts five wins – including last year’s Group 1 JJ Atkins Stakes, after her Group 2 Sires’ Produce Stakes triumph on May 28.
“We did a lot wrong and only got beaten by 1.9 lengths (last start),” Warwick said.
“We’ll ride her differently and I’m sure we’ll see a different result.
“That’s because we love winning and we think she’s better than that.”
READ: Sheeza Belter prevails in the JJ Atkins
Warwick said the astute combination of Group 1 winners Pike and the father-and-son Snowden team would use the Light Fingers Stakes result as added motivation on the weekend.
“We were confident she’d go well. Her work had been pretty good and she had a sticky barrier (10 last start),” Warwick said.
“For whatever reason we ended up going forward. She’s better off to go back.
“Her history says that and we know it. She got a bit of a clip in the in the (backside) from it.
“The Snowdens probably had her a bit fresh. William’s gone forward thinking he’d lob a spot.
“He had no one in front of her, she over-raced and ran her race upside down.
“That won’t be happening again.”
Former Myalup trainer Warwick has thoroughly enjoyed being in the ownership of Sheeza Belter.
“It’s mind boggling that you can buy a horse over here in Western Australia, and next minute you’re a Group 1 winner,” he said.
“She’s won $1.7 million and maybe there’s more to come. She’s a very valuable broodmare, and we’re living the dream of racing.
“It’s fantastic.”