Berkshire Shadow set for Australian debut in Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap

Imported galloper Berkshire Shadow is set to make his Australian debut in a Stakes race at Flemington.

The Ciaron Maher-trained galloper is set to contest the Group 3 Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap (1400m) on Saturday where he will avoid a clash with stablemate Jimmysstar.

Jimmysstar is NSW bound for the Group 3 Newcastle Stakes (1400m) on Friday.

Berkshire Shadow enters Saturday’s contest following a trial at Cranbourne last month and another jump-out at that track, along with a race day gallop at Sandown last week.

In that gallop he was accompanied by All-Star Mile contender Pride Of Jenni who just shaded Berkshire Shadow at the end of the 1200m work-out.

“It was pretty strong work. Jenni was very good, and Berkshire was great,” Maher said.

“He’s still getting there fitness wise, but it was nice work.

“He may need the run on Saturday, and then we’ll look for something over the mile with him.”

Berkshire Shadow was a Group 2 winner in the UK at his second race start and has not raced since finishing last at Newmarket last July.

Stablemate Jimmysstar will bypass Saturday’s race to run at Newcastle on Friday.

The lightly raced gelding will be out to redeem himself in the coming days after he was beaten as the $1.26 favourite in the Elms Handicap (1400m) at Flemington on February 17 after firming in from $1.35 with top betting apps.

The gelding still holds an entry for the All-Star Mile (1600m) at Caulfield on March 16, but Maher said a start in that race was looking less likely than likely.

Maher said the All-Star Mile had come too soon for Jimmysstar who is still eligible for weaker company, rather than taking on some of the best of Australia’s horses at weight-for-age.

“He’s a handicap horse, so it’s a massive jump and if you didn’t get a ticket, you wouldn’t even think of going there,” Maher said.

“He’s had a freshen, as we normally do. He’s freshened up well. He’s good, he’s expressive, he’s his normal self.”

Tyler Schiller has been engaged to ride Jimmysstar at Newcastle.

Also heading to Sydney will be Espiona who will bypass the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) on Saturday in favour of the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick.