Earthquake An Unlikely Silver Shadow Stakes Starter

Earthquake is unlikely to take her place in the 2014 Silver Shadow Stakes field, but Godolphin Racing Manager Jason Walsh has revealed that the racing operation will wait until tomorrow morning before officially scratching the talented filly.

Earthquake is not expected to contest the 2014 Silver Shadow Stakes at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow.

Earthquake is not expected to contest the 2014 Silver Shadow Stakes at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow. Photo by: Steve Hart

Walsh has said throughout the week that trainer John O’Shea did not want to run Earthquake first-up on a heavy track and he told Racing Ahead this morning that there was little chance the daughter of Exceed And Excel will return to the races for the first time since her second place finish in the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) at Royal Randwick on April 5.

“I think that is probably unlikely and we will reserve that decision until the morning,” Walsh said.

“It is obviously still rated a heavy 9 this morning and talking to Peter Snowden this morning, he thinks that is the best that we can hope for and we have been quite clear that we would prefer to run her first-up over that kind of ground.

“John is reluctant to give them a testing hit-out first-up given that their targets are a lot deeper into the spring.

“We will reserve that judgment until the morning, but at this stage it is unlikely.”

While Earthquake is set to miss the Silver Shadow Stakes, Walsh revealed that stablemate Memorial will take her place in the field for the Group 2 at Royal Randwick tomorrow.

Memorial was slightly disappointing during the 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, but showed that she was capable of performing on a heavy track when she finished a credible fifth in the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) and Walsh said that O’Shea is happy to see the Street Cry filly resume on the wet track in the Silver Shadow Stakes.

“Memorial probably will start,” Walsh said.

“Her best career performance to date was in the Slipper on a heavy track and we think that she will get through it ok.

“John is very comfortable in giving her some time after this if it does take a bit more out of her than what we expect.

“She is likely to take her place at this stage.

“She is in great order, she has changed quite a bit physically and is quite a bit more leggy now.”

Earthquake ($1.90) remains a clear favourite in 2014 Silver Shadow Stakes betting markets from Bring Me The Maid ($3.60), while Memorial is available at Silver Shadow Stakes odds of $7.

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.