Waugh feeling the Love ahead of Dark Jewel Classic assignment

Smart sprinter Shadows Of Love will earn a fitting reward for consistency if she can break through for her first black-type success in the Dark Jewel Classic at Scone.

The mare has managed a top-three finish in eight of her nine runs this season, highlighted by four wins, and trainer Kim Waugh believes she is still open to further improvement.

“She was always a little bit immature early, so we took our time with her,” Waugh said.

“We’d give her a few runs and then stop.

“She is a lovely mare and she is still maturing.”

After posting back-to-back wins in February and March, Shadows Of Love was a gallant third behind Territory Express in the Provincial-Midway Championships Final (1400m) two starts ago.

She backed it up with a close third in the Hawkesbury Crown (1300m) at her first test in stakes company and with even luck in the run, Waugh believed she had the scope to go even better on Saturday.

“(Jockey) Tim Clark said he got pushed out on the turn (last start) and it cost her a bit of ground, but he was very happy with the way she went,” Waugh said.

“I couldn’t be happier with her going into Saturday.

“As long as she is comfortable and back off the speed, she will run well. I don’t want her too close because she’s got that great turn of foot if she can get a smother.”

With Clark in Brisbane, Tommy Berry reunites with Shadows Of Love and he has an outstanding record on the mare having notched two wins and as many placings from four rides.

She has drawn barrier nine in the Dark Jewel Classic (1400m), which has attracted a capacity field of 16 plus three reserves, headed by Group 1 winner and topweight Ruthless Dame.