Charlton targets Randwick success with Shangri La Impact
Trainer Tom Charlton believes he has pinpointed the ideal race for Shangri La Impact to continue her upward trajectory at Randwick this Saturday, though her return to Stakes company is yet to be confirmed.
The four-year-old daughter of Staphanos is slated to compete in the $160,000 B&J Guttering & Metal Roofing BM72 Handicap, a 1800-metre contest.
This assignment against her own sex is her first since contesting the Group 1 Queensland Oaks last year, and Charlton is pleased with the mare's circumstances.
"It's the perfect race for her really; fillies and mares, a nice distance for her on home track, so I think it looks a nice option," Charlton said.
This outing will be Shangri La Impact's fifth start since joining Charlton's stable, having originally been prepared by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
Following consecutive wins in May last year, Waterhouse and Bott entered her into the Queensland Oaks, but she managed to finish ahead of only one competitor in the 2200m event.
Shangri La Impact made a winning debut for Charlton at Kembla Grange on March 3 in BM64 grade. She followed this with a third at Newcastle and subsequently won again over 1800m in BM72 company at the Randwick Kensington track on April 27.
Her most recent start was in Saturday grade at Rosehill on May 30, where she dropped out late to finish sixth, beaten 6-1/4 lengths, after being pushed too hard in the early stages.
Nash Rawiller takes over from Dylan Gibbons for Saturday's race, with Shangri La Impact set to start from barrier two. Charlton is aiming for a more controlled pace.
"She doesn't have to lead but she naturally has herself in a forward position," he said.
"Last time we just went a bit too quick, we had a bit of pressure on our outside and you could see the race how it developed that it suited the backmarkers."
"So I think there was a genuine excuse and I think also getting back on a sounder surface might be more beneficial as well."
According to leading online bookmakers, Shangri La Impact is the second favourite for Saturday's BM72 handicap, with Chris Waller's lightly-raced British mare Nasebah heading the market.
Punters keen to get involved can compare the latest racing betting markets across various Australian betting sites.
More Racing News
Boomtown Boss triumphs in a thrilling Aurie's Star Handicap
The strategic move by trainer Tony Gollan to transfer Boomtown Boss south has paid off spectacularly, with the Queenslander clinching the opening black-type race of the new Australian racing season, the Group 3 Aurie's Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington.After a disjointed Brisbane winter campaign, Gollan chose to rest the gelding...
Tim Clark's birthday treble at Rosehill
Tim Clark marked his birthday with a successful riding treble at Rosehill, taking an early advantage in the Sydney jockeys' premiership.His earlier wins aboard Funshow and Steel Strike set the stage for a polished performance guiding Carbonados to victory in the NSW Jockeys Association Handicap (1300m).Clark had to maintain patience...
Rawiller's tactical genius seals win for Run Harry Run
Champion jockey Nash Rawiller delivered a signature front-running performance to guide Run Harry Run to a tenacious victory in the Kia Ora Bloodlines to Headlines Handicap over 1500 metres at Rosehill.The experienced rider expertly controlled the pace aboard the Lindsay Park gelding, drawing out two spirited efforts from the horse...
Touchdown continues impressive streak with Flemington victory
The strategic acquisition by Lindsay Park of former New Zealand galloper Touchdown is proving highly successful, as the promising five-year-old gelding delivered another exceptional performance at Flemington.This Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained gelding has extended its impressive record to five wins and three placings from just nine starts, securing a...
Steel Strike claims narrow victory at Rosehill
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott kicked off the new racing season with a win courtesy of Steel Strike in the National Jockeys Trust Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.The quick-starting galloper Felix Majestic thrived on the firmer ground, dictating terms and building a four-length advantage over his pursuers, with...
Aye Aye Captain claims Rosehill victory
Les Bridge, a seasoned trainer, saw his birthday celebrations extended at Rosehill when Aye Aye Captain returned to winning form. Jockey Kerrin McEvoy confessed he had a result to repay the stable after a misguided recommendation in her prior start.The mare had previously disappointed, finishing fifth as the favourite on...
Horizons completes stable double for Freedman partnership at Rosehill
Richard and Will Freedman have made an impressive start to the 2026/27 Sydney racing season, with Horizons securing a stable quinella at Rosehill and placing the training partnership at the top of the early premiership standings.After Attractiveness took out the first race on the card, Horizons demonstrated her grit with...
Gatwick poised for Stakes race challenges
Progressive mare Gatwick has emerged as a Stakes race contender following a determined front-running performance to secure the Ranvet Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday.The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained galloper achieved her second win in her last three starts, dictating terms throughout under Zac Lloyd and finding the...
Funshow's gelding proves a masterstroke with Rosehill triumph
Nathan Doyle's astute decision to geld the promising sprinter Funshow has yielded spectacular results, with the emerging four-year-old completing a hat-trick of wins in the Kia Ora Bloodlines to Headlines Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill.Doyle conceded that Funshow possessed significant ability early in his racing career, but also displayed sufficient characteristics...
Blake Shinn marks successful return with a win on first ride
Blake Shinn has made a triumphant return to race riding, achieving a victory with his initial mount after being sidelined by injury.Back at Flemington for the first time since his significant fall on Melbourne Cup Day last year, Shinn guided Nearco Frod, trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy, to a...