Blinkers bid to sharpen Shamarkand in the Flemington Cup 2025
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott training partnership is hoping a gear switch can help French import Shamarkand turn a corner in Saturday’s Deane Lester Flemington Cup 1849 (2800m) at Flemington.
The stayer, who was purchased for approximately $300,000 from The Arc Sale last year, will wear blinkers and a tongue tie in an effort to recapture his European form.
Shamarkand had success in France with three wins, including a Listed victory at Vichy and a placing at Group 3 level at Longchamp, before finishing last behind Illinois in the Group 2 Prix Chaudenay.
Since arriving in Australia, the gelding has been unplaced in both starts, most recently running sixth at Flemington over 2600m earlier this month.
“We’ve put the blinkers on in a bid to sharpen him up a bit,” Bott explained. “He’s still adapting to the conditions over here and he’s been a bit one-paced this preparation.”
Bott remains optimistic, stressing that this campaign is more about settling in than peak performance.
“I thought there was some nice improvement there second-up and we thought the blinkers may help, but he may still be a preparation away from really seeing the form he has shown previously,” Bott said.
“We would like to see some improvement from him on Saturday but it’s all stepping stones for next campaign and getting him acclimatised.”
Apprentice Jett Stanley retains the ride on Shamarkand as the team looks for signs of progress.
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