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By Ray Hickson

The rain on top of Waihaha Falls’ Randwick stable roof would have been music to his ears during the week as the talented John O’Shea-trained galloper searches for an overdue win on Saturday.

Trainer John O'Shea (Pic: Steve Hart)

Fairly or not, Waihaha Falls was seen as a likely successor to O’Shea’s class sprinter Lost And Running when he emerged with a couple of dynamic wins in the winter of 2022.

It’s been 18 months since the six-year-old’s last success but with the promise of some give in the ground and a step up in trip to a distance O’Shea feels he’s looking for are positives for his chances in the Schweppes Handicap (1400m).

O’Shea said the gelding is a momentum horse and feels he will be suited beyond the short course on the back of his closing third in the Listed Razor Sharp (1200m) two weeks ago where he had to weave through after being held up for runs in the early part of the straight.

“That’s why we need to get him out in trip,’’ he said.

“I think he’s looking for the 1400m now, it’s going to be his pet trip.

“He was a bit unlucky, if Tom (Berry) could have got out and rolling at a crucial time it might have been the difference.”

There is an air of confidence from O’Shea about Waihaha Falls, $4.20 with TAB on Thursday, given he’s closed off both his runs this preparation in good style.

It’s easily forgotten he has won at 1500m, just over two years ago, and has run second over the Randwick 1400m but he’s been largely restricted to 1200m and 1300m in stakes company in recent campaigns.

O’Shea hopes Tommy Berry has the right run in transit from the wide gate, and that they can sweep home with an uninterrupted passage.

“We’re looking forward to getting him there on Saturday,” he said.

“He’s been racing really well and we just need to keep him up to the mark. He’s drawn out but I don’t think it would be a disadvantage to be there.”

Mistress impressed O'Shea with her second-up win at Wyong and, though up in grade, he feels she won't be out of place in the Doyle's Breeding And Racing Handicap (1600m).

The mare is trained out of the Hawkesbury arm of O'Shea's stable and with three wins from nine starts she still has some upside.

"It’s the right time to go ahead and try it,'' he said.

"She’s been a work in progress, we’ve been mindful to bring her along steadily and I think she is going the right way.

"I think she’s fit and well and that should stand her in good stead."

Another mare building a handy record is Speak Up who resumes in the Agency Real Estate Handicap (1200m).

Waihaha Falls runs third at Randwick on December 9

She's yet to win below 1300m and hasn't drawn to effect but O'Shea said it will suit her if the track remains in the soft range.

"She loves the ground, it’s not the best gate for her but I thought she trialled really well the other day,'' he said.

"She’s got a bit of improvement in her but the ground’s going to help her. She’s going to be back, I’d prefer not to draw out there but it is what it is."

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