3 minute read
A year after we saw Mosheen dominate her rivals in the Crown Oaks, Robert Smerdon appears to have unearthed another stable star with Shamal Wind streaking away for a breath-taking performance in the Listed Heritage Stakes at Flemington.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Stepping out at only her second career start after saluting impressively on debut at Ballarat, Shamal Wind proceeded to leave her rivals in her wake after showing a dazzling turn of foot to sprint away to score comfortably by two lengths.
Racing just off the speed behind early race leader Isabella Snowflake, the daughter of Dubawi quickly cruised up alongside her and when popped the question by jockey Mark Zahra, she quickly sprinted clear.
"You know you're going alright when you haven't even pressed the button yet and everyone else is off the bit," Zahra said.
"Last start we led on her, this time we just put her in behind, she switched off and every time I clicked her she was right there for me.
"I waited until the 250m mark before I pushed the button and she gave me a real good feel, I think she really could be something special."
Sydney raider Brave Soul ran on valiantly from the back to finish second but was unable to bridge the gap with Isabella Snowflake sticking on well to finish third with the well supported Meidung rounding out the first four.
Having landed up a first up plunge on debut at Ballarat, Shamal Wind put the writing on the wall that she was something special when scoring by five lengths with plenty in hand.
"She was a bit crazy early and I did a bit of work on her in the trials and every sort of trial got better and came race day she really showed her best and is just getting better all the time," Zahra said.