Fresh Sghirripa set for the 2026 Durbridge Stakes

Sghirripa returns to action this weekend with Shane Oxlade confident the talented sprinter is ready to show improvement in the Listed Durbridge Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville.

The Group 3 winner has been freshened after an underwhelming Melbourne campaign and will now focus on the South Australian sprint circuit.

Oxlade said there were no obvious excuses during the Spring, but hopes the reset has brought about the desired change.

“He certainly disappointed, there’s no doubt about that,” Oxlade said.

“I just don’t think he was interested, to be honest.

“So he’s been home and had a freshen up, had a jump out, and he’s jumped out really well.

“But I couldn’t fault him going into the other runs, I was really happy with him going into the other runs, I had no issues with him, sometimes you wish you had an excuse.”

The gelding tuned up for his return with a strong trial win over 900 metres at Strathalbyn on January 15, leading throughout ahead of Prairie Flower.

“We’ve got the carnival at home,” Oxlade said.

“There are races over the border that are always there, but his ratings come back a little bit now, so he’s sort of got this one at home, and then in a month’s time you’ve got the City Of Marion.

“And by then you’re starting to run into our carnival, the Irwin Stakes, the D C McKay and then into The Goodwood.

“From my point of view, it’s about getting him back to racing like I know he can and winning, that’s the main thing.

Sghirripa’s past win in the Group 3 Standish Handicap (1200m) remains a reminder of his ability when everything clicks.

“He’s raced well with good gaps between runs before,” Oxlade said.

“I’m really happy with him. The horse himself is in a good place, he’s happy, so I guess we’ll know more on Saturday where he is mentally.”

Form students can review current racing betting markets for the Durbridge Stakes ahead of Saturday’s program.

The post Fresh Sghirripa set for Durbridge Stakes first appeared on Just Horse Racing.