Sydney, November 21, 2008 - Tomorrow at Kembla marks a special milestone in the relationship between John O’Shea Racing and Storm Thoroughbreds when the aptly named The Champion debuts in the Better Floors 3YO Maiden Handicap over 1200m at Kembla.

The son of Encosta De Lago is the first Storm Thoroughbreds starter since they joined forces with the powerful Randwick stable.

“It’s a exciting time and hopefully the start of a long and prosperous relationship,” Storm proprietor Stef Pardi said.

“We currently have 15 horses in the stable and tomorrow is the tip of the iceberg so we are hoping that we can get off to a winning start.”

The Champion has been given two trials this preparation and he finished second at Randwick before a quiet fourth at the same venue on November 7.

“He’s trialled particularly well and if he can have some luck from the gate I expect him to be right in the mix,” John said.

“He’s a nice little horse and a good one to start out with the Storm team.”

The stable’s other runner for the day is another first starter by Encosta De Lago, Sabino Creek in The Links Shell Cove Maiden Handicap over 1400m.

Raced by Gerry Harvey, Sabino Creek finished second in her most recent barrier trial over 1030m at Randwick on November 7.

“She’s a big strong scopey filly that probably wants a bit further than 1400 metres long term but they have to start somewhere,” said John.

“In saying that she trialled quite well and has trained on since and I expect her to be competitive.”

“She’ll go to Wyong after Saturday for the Mona Lisa on December 7 and then we’ll take her to the Gold Coast, there’s a lovely race for her there, the Magic Millions Fillies And Mares Handicap (1300m),” John said.

In what is a strong off-season fillies and mares race, Espurante has paid for her consistency with the handicapper handing her the top weight of 58.5kg and John has elected to utilise the claim of his apprentice, Mitchell Beadman.

“She’s trained on very well since her first-up run and the bit of rain around will also help her on Saturday,” he said.

“She’s also got a bit of weight relief with the 2kg claim for Mitchell Beadman.

“It’s a nice strong race and she’ll have to be right up to the mark to run well but she will run well and hopefully she’ll get the major prize.”

Sydney, November 14, 2008 - John O’Shea racing heads to Kembla tomorrow with one runner Coeur D'Or who makes her debut in the Lawrence Hargrave Private Hospital Maiden Handicap over 1200m.

The daughter of Show A Heart is raced by Supreme Syndications and performed well when placed at her two lead-up trials heading into her debut run.

“She’s a nice filly that has trailed well on tow occasions,” John said.

“She’s drawn to get the box-seat run and I expect her to run a great race.

“I’m sure she’ll have a good throw at the stumps.”

Sydney, November 14, 2008 - One of the most valuable fillies in training is the John O’Shea-trained Stripdown who will be attempting to register her second career victory in the Nivea Visage Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Purchased for $350,000 at the Magic Millions Premier Sale last year, Stripdown is a half sister to the former champion filly Gold Edition.

Given plenty of time to develop by O’Shea, Stripdown delivered the goods at her most recent start and her trainer now expects she can go right on with the job.

“She broke through at Randwick on Melbourne Cup day and she’s improved since the win so I expect her to be hard to beat,” he said.

“She’s been a great track worker and is learning with every run.

“The mile looks like her go at this stage, and she’s still got more improvement to come.”

The four-year-old mare will give away weight to some handy mares such as Mary’s Grace and Cartoon Character but John thinks that Espurante should be good enough to get over the line.

“She’s got a lot of weight but she’s a quality mare resuming,” he said.

The daughter of Flying Spur has not raced since winding up her consistent autumn campaign with a second placing behind Nediym’s Dream at Randwick at listed level.

“She’s got a little bit of class about her, she’s a stakeswinner and hopefully she can run well,” said John.

Espurante was scheduled to be part of the Melbourne spring team but John was unable to get her going in time but has instead set her for a big first-up run.

“She had a little setback in the early part of the spring which stopped her from coming to Melbourne,” he said.

However, Espurante is over her small problem and has been progressing nicely in preparation for her return to racing.

“She trialled well, she’s worked well in the lead up to Saturday’s race and I’m very happy with her,” he said.