Super filly Sheidel has once again blitzed the field at Ascot, making laughably short work of some highly rated opposition to continue her dominant form at the venue.
The odds-on favourite for the 1100m Galvin’s Plumbing Handicap never looked troubled, dictating terms from gate to post to more than justify the faith of punters, who continued to come for the rising star all the way up to the $1.60 starting price.
Emma Stent booted the filly out of gate six to establish an early inside hold on the race, running the rest of the distance – and indeed the field – on her own terms as her mount romped to a five length victory over second favourite Secret Nova.
Cuanzo for Eric Wake and Jarrad Noske rounded out the placegetters.
Following her early kick to dictate pace, Stent looked to slow the field as she rounded the first turn, with Castle Retreat and Shengmu looking interested early and briefly challenging toward the 800m mark.
But from there it was almost trackwork for Sheidel, with Stent only needing to ask the most casual of questions of the three year old, who hugged the rail around the turn before embarrassing her rivals down the straight with an effortless turn of foot.
Secret Nova sat off the favourite’s flank around the turn and ran on gallantly to lead the rest home, but the result was never in doubt.
It was the fourth straight victory in a perfect campaign to date for the sprinter, who looks ominously stronger with every run.
Trainer David Harrison scarcely needed to comment post-race, with his irresistible charge’s performance leaving few questions unanswered.
“It takes a pretty good one to challenge her because she’s got gears,” said Harrison, indicating the major concern was establishing superiority early, a tactic carried out with efficiency by apprentice Stent.
“She flew the gate so that was the main thing,” he said. “She’s pretty special I think.”
“The world’s her oyster at the minute.”
Undeniably – though the world will have to wait for the moment, as the star sprinter first looks to make it five from five at Ascot with the $100,000 Kalatiara Classic on March 28.
by Mark Haywood
