Lady Shenandoah brilliant in G2 Light Fingers Stakes return

Lady Shenandoah made a stunning return to racing, claiming victory in the Light Fingers Stakes at Randwick in dominant fashion, setting up a potential clash with her undefeated stablemate, Autumn Glow.

Although she won by 1-1/4 lengths over Golden Slipper champion Lady Of Camelot, her effortless acceleration suggested there was more to come.

Jockey Zac Lloyd, aboard the $2.40 favourite with betting sites, lauded the filly’s incredible movement and speed.

“You don’t get that feeling often. She is a pleasure to ride and it’s an honour to ride these types of horses for Mr Waller,” Lloyd said.

“In her second trial, Mr Waller said, ‘close to a speeding ticket there,’ but she just does it so easily, you don’t really know how fast you’re going.

“She just glides over the ground. She’s got the most efficient action. She came around that bend and you just feel like it’s ‘game over.’ She is a very nice filly.”

The Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) winner from last spring is now being aimed at the Surround Stakes (1400m) at Randwick in two weeks.

Trainer Chris Waller’s team is still working to get Autumn Glow ready for the same race, with assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth confirming a trial this week will determine her chances of running.

Duckworth avoided ranking the stable’s top filly, stating the true comparison would only come when they raced each other.

“It’s very hard to work out exactly how they measure up against each other until they face each other,” he said.

“She (Lady Shenandoah) is obviously an incredible athlete and was aided by an absolutely stunning ride by Zac. He got her in a beautiful position from what could have been a slightly sticky draw, and she has gone about her business beautifully and has accelerated.

“Lady Of Camelot is no slouch to try and run past in the concluding stages, and she seems to have done it with a bit in hand.

“She gets up over a lot further than the 1200, so to do it first-up, she is going to take a world of beating next start.”

Stablemates Lazzura (fourth), Amelita (sixth), and Declichy Boulevard (seventh) all ran solid races and will continue their campaigns in the Surround Stakes.

In the Triscay Stakes (1200m), Godolphin’s Inhibitions ($13) took advantage of a perfect run to defeat previously unbeaten Clear Thinking ($4 fav) and stablemate Commemorative ($4.40).

Trainer James Cummings, overseeing Traffic Warden’s run at Flemington, was confident his fillies had more improvement to come.

“It’s a good result for the farm. Both mares in the race are stakes winners, but I’ve got a feeling there’s a little bit more ahead of both of them,” Cummings said.