Latest News

By Ray Hickson

Trainer John O’Shea is confident imported mare Promise Of Success has what it takes to reach a high level but says she does face a challenge to keep her unbeaten local record intact at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.

Few would complain about drawing the inside alley but, quite rightly, O’Shea sees that as a bigger obstacle in the last race on a rain affected track than anything else around her job to win the Sky Racing Handicap (1200m).

“Whether barrier one is an advantage in the last race at Warwick Farm remains to be seen but we have the right man (Tommy Berry) to overcome it,’’ O’Shea said.

“It presents as a major issue - wet track, last race - but she’s there to race and we’ll give her the opportunity to run again.”

O’Shea basically hit reset when Promise Of Success arrived from the UK as a four start maiden having not raced since May 2019 nor below 1609m.

After a couple of handy trial performances she showed a dynamic turn of foot to sweep home from last to win a 1200m maiden at Warwick Farm back on June 14.

Promise Of Success wins at Warwick Farm on June 12

Punter’s Intelligence sectional data revealed she clocked a 35.08 for her last 600m which was about three lengths faster than anything else in the race. On the back of that win Promise Of Success was $2.15 favourite with TAB on Tuesday.

The Randwick trainer said he believes a mile will be the five-year-old’s limit and he doesn’t expect her to be vulnerable second-up from such a long layoff.

“We were hoping she was going to run well and Hugh (Bowman) gave her a nice ride from a wide gate,’’ he said.

“I think she is potentially a stakes class mare going forward, it’s a matter of going through her grades and getting her rating up.”

Blueblooded colt I Am Lethal is set to make his debut in the Harry Angel @ Darley Handicap (1100m) and O’Shea is a little cautious given the change of conditions of the race after the meeting was transferred from Kensington.

The son of I Am Invincible and Group 1 winning mare Steps In Time has won two barrier trials, coming from off the pace, ahead of his debut and O’Shea said he has quite a liking for the youngster.

“He’s a really nice colt, probably disadvantaged by the moving of the meeting to Warwick Farm and shortening of the trip (from 1150m) but he needs to get started,’’ he said.

“He’ll be much better next season but it’s nice to get some miles under his legs and hopefully a win or two would be great.”

From an awkward alley it’s likely I Am Lethal ($6.50) will be ridden similarly on race day to how he was steered in his trials.

All the entries, form and replays for Wednesday's Warwick Farm meeting