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.
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