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By Ray Hickson

Trainer Allan Kehoe won’t hesitate to pit his cult hero Shaggy against the ‘better horses’ if he can enhance his record with a first-up win at Randwick.

The youngster has won three of his four starts and Kehoe has pencilled in three new season stakes races for three-year-olds to test Shaggy’s standing after he tackles the Keeneland September Yearling Sale Handicap (1100m).

They are the Listed Rosebud (1100m) on August 16, the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) two weeks later and the Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m) on September 13.

Trainer Allan Kehoe (Pic: Bradley Photos).

“I think he’s up to them. I thought this race would be a good lead up for the Rosebud,’’ Kehoe said.

“He was going to go straight in to the Rosebud but when Aaron (Bullock) hopped off him after the trial he said he’s ready to rock and roll.

“He held a lot of fitness from the prep where he was going to go to Brisbane. He’s bigger, he didn’t grow much taller but he’s around 25kg heavier now.

“He’s really beefed up, he looks like he’s going to be one of those gross-looking animals but not quite so tall.”

After winning his first three starts, debuting in an 800m Coffs Harbour maiden then scoring at the Sunshine Coast and the Pierro Plate at Randwick, Kehoe set his sights on the Golden Slipper.

But Shaggy suffered his first defeat when favourite in the Group 2 Skyline Stakes in March, finishing two lengths behind Rivellino, bringing that fairytale to an end.

Kehoe, as he alluded, did plan a Brisbane winter campaign for Shaggy but shelved those plans when he drew the outside barrier in a Listed race on June 14.

The gelding instead had a short break, which included some dressage work, before showing his readiness with that Newcastle trial win a couple of weeks ago.

The Wyong trainer said with the 3kg claim for William Stanley and barrier one he feels Shaggy will have his chance to prove himself worthy of the program he’s set out.

“I’ll be disappointed if he’s not in the finish,’’ Kehoe said.

“He gets into the race really well now on weights, he did win with 59kg on his back at the Sunny Coast.

“He’s just got to keep improving, he’s happy at home and showing all the signs he wants to be there. It’s the best I’ve seen him looking, we’ve got him humming and looking good.

“It’s up to him now, he’ll take some fitness out of it but he’s up to the mark.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Randwick meeting