By Ray Hickson
Everything about Sing A Love Song tells trainer John O’Shea he’s looking for 1400m and the form around the promising youngster says he’s potentially a Group 1 Sires’ Produce horse.
If O’Shea is right on the first score then the colt will likely earn himself a shot at the latter should he break through in the Ghaiyyath New To Darley Plate (1400m) at Kensington on Wednesday.
Sing A Love Song was placed behind boom colt Remarque in January and ran a close third to Zethus and Home Affairs in the Group 3 Canonbury Stakes before stepping to 1200m for the first time and producing an eye-catching fourth in the Group 2 Skyline Stakes, which was dominated on the pace.
Behind him in the Skyline was last weekend’s Pago Pago Stakes winner Shaquero.
“That’s indicative that he’s going okay,’’ O’Shea said.
“His form is good and I think he’s a horse, with his pedigree, was always going to suit getting over a little bit further.”
It was virtually impossible for Sing A Love Song to win the Skyline, won from in front by O’President, from near last on the turn but he clocked the second fastest last 600m (34.15, Punter's Intelligence) and last 200m (11.90).
Sing A Love Song runs fourth at Randwick on February 27
O’Shea said a win would make the Sires’ a realistic target given he feels the bulk of the opposition, aside from probably Artorius, likely won’t come from this weekend’s Golden Slipper.
“If his form is good enough to get into those races he’ll be competitive, they are going to change complexion dramatically over the next few weeks,’’ he said.
“The top Slipper chances look to be genuine six furlong horses.”
The youngster was $3.70 second favourite with TAB on Tuesday ($51 in the Sires’) and O’Shea said recent history tells him he shouldn’t overly concerned about drawing wide. Tom Marquand has the steering job and he will be the fifth jockey in as many starts to ride the colt.
“The Kensington track traditionally when it’s a bit wet it’s an advantage to be there,’’ he said.
“We’ll have to take it as we find it but I’m not perplexed until I see otherwise.”
Lightly raced filly All Hallows’ Eve continues on her path towards a Group race target at The Star Championships in the Robrick Lodge Handicap (1100m).
The three-year-old, $6 with TAB, atoned for a first-up defeat at Gosford by easily winning a Class 1 at Newcastle on February 27 and, again, a wide marble doesn’t faze O’Shea especially given it’s the final race.
“We really like her, she’s a good filly,’’ he said.
“She’s a full sister to All Saints’ Eve and we were similar with her, just brought her along steadily, and it’s been advantageous so it’s only natural we’d want to do the same thing.”
The Group 3 Bentley PJ Bell Stakes (1200m) on April 3 is the ultimate aim for All Hallows’ Eve.
Meanwhile, O'Shea said all is in order for Randwick Guineas winner Lion's Roar to tackle the second leg of the three-year-old triple crown in Saturday's Group 1 $500,000 Rosehill Guineas (2000m).
All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday's Kensington meeting