Global Weekly Review - 21.09.15

Godolphin trainers Kiaran McLaughlin and John O'Shea are both bullish about the weeks ahead following successful weekends in America and Australia, respectively.

Both are working towards specific end-of-season targets with the stars of their stables, and the progress reports are encouraging. McLaughlin followed 'gut instinct' when backing up Frosted in Saturday's G2 Pennsylvania Derby at Parx and that decision paid handsome dividends.

Frosted, runner-up in the G1 Belmont Stakes and third in the G1 Travers, had been running up against American Pharoah with some regularity in recent races, and Pennsylvania offered welcome respite.

"I hate to say that we used a $1m race as a confidence booster for Frosted, but that's how it has turned out," McLaughlin explained.

"It was a very nice win, and in my view the nicest thing about it was that it was like a morning workout for him. Joel (Rosario) didn't hit him, which was good.

"I don't think Frosted likes the whip. He's such an honest horse, and Joel knows him well. They get on great together," he added.

In running Frosted only 21 days after what appeared a hard run in the Travers at Saratoga, McLaughlin was going against many of the training patterns he has established over the past two decades.

"It's not my normal routine with a horse of this profile, and it was a worry. But he was doing so well at home.

Every day since the Jim Dandy (at Saratoga in early August) he has been eating enormous (amounts) and really thriving.

"We now have six weeks to the G1 Breeders' Cup Classic. He will have three good, solid workouts in the meantime. He will work in company, and I'll be a little more aggressive with him in his work," he added.

McLaughlin is also pleased with recent Belmont winner Sentiero Italia, who will next run in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes at Keeneland on October 10. "She has come out of her last race really well, excellent. She's on target for Keeneland," the trainer said.

In Australia, John O'Shea is gearing up for another important week, as the countdown continues to the big races over the Spring Carnival. He has high hopes that Contributer can return to winning ways in Saturday's G1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield.

"He was big and burly, and very fresh, when he ran (fifth) first-up at a mile in the Dato Chin Nam at Moonee Valley. I think he will be a lot closer this time," O'Shea said.

Contributer's main objective remains the G1 Cox Plate at the Valley on October 24. "I am very mindful that we have to have him peaking on the right day," he pointed out.

O'Shea will also aim promising Moher at the G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude on Saturday. Although beaten into fourth at Bendigo on his last start, the son of Lonhro is highly-regarded and expected to show improvement.

Another interesting runner for the 'royal blues' is Painted Firetail in Friday's G3 Champagne Stakes at Moonee Valley. She was a most unlucky third at Kembla Grange last start.

"She should have won at Kembla," O'Shea said. "She's been down in Melbourne for a few days and will gallop at the Valley in the next couple of days," he added.

Digesting the results from last Saturday, O'Shea was delighted with the runs of Magic Hurricane (second) and Complacent (third) behind Preferment in the G2 Hill Stakes at Randwick.

"Magic Hurricane is set for the G1 Metropolitan (October 3), and Complacent turned in an outstanding, dogged run and will line up in the G3 Craven Plate (October 3) before having a crack at the G1 Caulfield Cup (October 17)."

O'Shea also has big plans for beautifully-bred Pearls, who finished powerfully to win Saturday's G2 Tea Rose Stakes at Randwick.

She has now won two of her three starts and is being primed for bigger targets in the Spring. The Exceed and Excel filly is a sister to Helmet and half-sister to Epaulette, both Darley stallions.

"She has taken a big step forward, and I feel she is now ready for one mile (1600m) in the G1 Flight Stakes, which is next on her agenda," O'Shea reported.

Godolphin's presence was also felt at Newbury, UK, on Saturday when Ribchester shaped as a juvenile with a bright future by landing the G2 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes, defeating another in the royal blue silks, the consistent Log Out Island.

Ribchester, a recent Godolphin purchase, remains with trainer Richard Fahey, who enjoyed one of his most successful days, sending out six winners on Saturday, including Don't Touch in the coveted Ayr Gold Cup.