Import God's Window eyed for Epsom Handicap tilt
Early all-in betting has seen God's Window attract significant support for the Shannon Stakes this Saturday at Rosehill. However, trainer Chris Waller would be content to bypass this engagement for the imported galloper, not due to a lack of faith in his ability to contest the $300,000 Group 2 event, but because he believes a greater opportunity awaits the horse in its subsequent start.
Waller's primary target for the gelding is the following week's prestigious $1.5 million Group 1 Epsom Handicap, and his preference would be to head directly to that 1600-metre race. The challenge lies in the fact that with a weight of only 50kg and being positioned low in the ballot order, a start in the Epsom is not assured. Consequently, Waller may need to secure the ballot exemption that comes with a victory in Saturday's 1500m race.
The son of Dubawi, who ran in the Group 1 Derby (2414m) at Epsom during his three-year-old season in Australia, has achieved his sole win in the country over 1600 metres, leading Waller to suspect this distance is his optimal range.
"It's funny, some of those English horses, you think they're going to get 2000 metres," Waller shared. "Some of them find some speed in Australia as well, and he certainly has. His best form has been over shorter."
The six-year-old gelding made his return with a fifth-place finish in the Group 2 Theo Marks Quality (1300m), which was his first outing since a third in the McKell Cup (2000m) back on June 27. His two preceding runs resulted in a win and a second placing over the course of the Epsom Handicap at Randwick.
Priced at $51 for the Epsom Handicap, God's Window is one of three Shannon Stakes entries for Waller, with Ahha Ahha and Kovalica also in contention. The current favourite for the Shannon Stakes is Skyhook, prepared by Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou, who was a winner first-up in the Group 3 Theo Marks Quality.
You can find the latest racing betting markets for the Shannon Stakes at various online bookmakers.
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