A Stradbroke Handicap start in Brisbane during the winter could be on the cards for Shopaholic after she made it three wins in a row winning the Group 2 $180,000 D’Urban Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield today.
Glen Boss who was having his first ride on Shopaholic gave her a perfect run just off the pace and eased her to the outside in the straight to overhaul the favourite Soft Sand to win easing down.
Early leader outsider Cute Emily battled on gamely in the straight for Criag Newitt to hold onto third spot.
Boss was full of praise for Shopaholic who was back up after last week and said once he let her find her feet about the 1200m she travelled nicely and gave him good feel.
“They went a little quick up the hill for her so I let find her feet. Then after another 200m she came back to me really well and gave me a lot of confidence,” Boss said.
“I thought she showed a better turn of foot today than she did last week.”
Winning trainer Danny O’Brien said that the Pins filly will run in two weeks at Flemington in the Group 2 $300,000 Kewney Stakes (1400m) then will be sent for short break before heading off to Brisbane for the Group 1 $1m AAMI Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 9.
“We ran her last week to have her cherry ripe for today,” O’Brien said.
“She will be going to the Kewney in two weeks and we might be eyeing off Brisbane. We will give her a little break and then head off up to Brisbane for the Winter Stakes and the Stradbroke.”