Sheidel now eyeing the Darley Classic after Sensis Stakes win
THERE aren’t many horses running in Australia that have won 14 races from 24 starts and Sheidel continued its incredible strike rate when taking out the Group 3 Sensis Stakes at Flemington.
The five-year-old is the ultimate professional and punters again cashed in on the mare – betting it into $3 at Bet365.com.au late in the piece.
Sheidel jumped brilliantly from barrier 12 with champion jockey Joao Moreira in the saddle and although split races down the Flemington straight are hard to judge, Sheidel was always in control with Moreira in charge.
“It’s great to be here winning races,” Moreira said. “I’d say she won the race at the start, she was too fast out, I wasn’t told to be in front, but she was left in front by herself easy.
“When I asked for her she responded very well.”
Drawing wide forced Moreira to run on the outside of the straight and with the first three horses home all coming along the outside, it looked the place to bet.
“Looks like the track is pretty good on the outside. I decided to take a chance and things worked out pretty good,” Moreira said.
Sheidel is likely to face its toughest task to date when taking on the Darley Classic this Saturday to see just how good the daughter of Holy Roman Emperor is.
“I think she’s a Group one filly (mare) and she’ll probably get her chance at the end of the week to see if she is,” Hayes said. “We’ll see how she pulls up, if we’re happy with her we’ll certainly look at it.”
Hayes paid credit to its supreme winning record and he believes it could have won more races with some luck.
“We’re thrilled with her, she’s a filly that wins more than she loses, and a jockey that wins more than he loses, so they’re a good combination,” Hayes said.
“She’s just a little fighter and a couple of those losses with me, she’s been genuinely unlucky.”
Wild Rain ($10 at CrownBet) continued a consistent campaign which also included a third placing in the Group 1 Moir Stakes.
Private Secretary made good ground to finish third having been well-backed throughout the week.
Sheidel has dropped into $26 at Sportsbet for the Darley Classic where Extreme Choice holds favouritism.