Harrison Cautious Over Sheidel In Summer Scorcher
30 December, 2015
Thoroughbred
Explosive sprinter Sheidel can earn a trip east if she measures up to her biggest test in the Listed Summer Scorcher (1000m) at Ascot on Saturday.
Sheidel is one of four runners for trainer, David Harrison, with stable mates Benito, Flytego and Pininci taking their spots in the $100,000 line-up.
Sheidel is chasing her third feature win this campaign after taking out the Listed Jungle Mist Classic (1200m) and Crawford Stakes (1000m) at Ascot.
But despite her recent top form and record at the 1000m, Harrison believes the daughter of Holy Roman Emperor is in for the fight of her life.
“She obviously has fantastic form but this is going to be her hardest test to date and it won’t be a walk in the park,” Harrison said on TABradio.
“She meets some of them all fairly badly at the weights and it’s actually going to be a pretty hard little race to win.
“It’s going to be a test and they get their chance to beat her, but if she wins it I will look at a short eastern states trip.”
Harrison’s understated approach is well founded with Sheidel, a winner at 10 of 14 starts, meeting a cracking group of rivals.
The 14 horse line-up features top weight, Rock Magic, Silverstream, Rebel King and first-up specialist, First Among Equals.
Sheidel ran fourth to Rock Magic in the Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m) in November, despite carrying 3kg less.
Darren McAuliffe’s Rebel King and Sheidel have met on two occasions with the score line tied at one win apiece.
Sheidel has the recent bragging rights after holding out the luckless Rebel King by a half-length at Ascot on April 18.
Harrison believes Rebel King, who gains 1 ½ kg on Sheidel, poses the biggest threat to Sheidel.
“There is not much between Rebel King and Sheidel, but he meets us much better at the weights this time and he gets his chance for sure,” Harrison said.
Sheidel, to carry 57.5 kg for in-form jockey, Pat Carbery, will jump from barrier 10.
Rebel King, on the 54.5kg minimum, has drawn barrier two for Chris Parnham.
Rock Magic will lump 59kg for Jarrad Noske. The gelding will start from an inside gate.
While Sheidel commands Harrison’s main focus he hasn’t ruled out Flytego running a bold race.
The bay gelding is coming off a thrilling win when he split Dream Lifter and Malibu Style in a photo finish.
“I thought it was a very good run and he is just getting better with age,” Harrison said.
“Every time I gallop him he seems to be getting better.
“I think he is a knockout chance in this type of race.
“People might think he is not up to the class, but he keeps on improving.”
Ben Paterson retains the ride on Flytego. In a field of 14 he jumps from gate five.
First Among Equals, who has two wins from three first up attempts, hasn’t raced since June.
The bay gelding, to combine with Peter Knuckey from barrier three, is on a winning streak of six straight races.
Julio Santarelli