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Solar Charged's Trial Outing Put Back

SYDNEY, Monday February 8 2010 - The Warwick Farm barrier trials originally set down for Monday which were postponed to Tuesday have been abandoned due to inclement weather and the state of the track.

A new set of trials have been scheduled for Warwick Farm on Friday with fresh nominations closing at 11:00am Tuesday.

Tuesday's trials were set to feature many stars including the equal Golden Slipper favourite, the John O’Shea-trained Solar Charged.

“It was probably too wet to run anyway,” O’Shea said.

“She will trial at Randwick next Monday so missing this one doesn’t effect her preparation in the slightest.

“Everything with her so far this time in is coming along swimmingly.”

Karaka Premier Strong As Ever

SYDNEY, Tuesday 2 February 2010 - The conclusion of the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Sale concluded this evening and John O'Shea was happy in his purchases and future equine inhabitants coming to his Randwick stables.

O'Shea purchased two outstanding inviduals both fillies by top Kiwi based Waikato Stud sire O'Reilly.

"We came over in December and the Midnight Babe filly we highlighted as the top filly we saw back then and she had not disappointed we we arrived at Karaka to inspect her." O'Shea said

"The Premier Session has been unbelievably strong and thats because of the the catologue assembled by New Zealand Bloodstock and the type of horse to match the page."

"We put a lot of work into the sales preparation and you don't always come out with what you want, thats the nature of the game, but this is a truely outstanding filly on type and pedigree."

"We will pick up a few other purchases from the sale which is great and are thankful for the support our stable recieve's."

"On the strength of Karaka all bodes well for the up and coming Oaklands and Newmarket sales." O'Shea added.

The strength of the Karaka sale was evidenced by another set of remarkable figures from today's trade, with the final average the second highest in history at $183,119, which was 26 % increase on last year's $145,710.

Turnover was up a massive $10 million for fewer horses sold, representing a 22.5% increase from $53,330,000 to $63,373,500.

The sale median ended up at $135,000, up 35% on last year's $100,000, and the clearance rate climbed steadily to 79%, ahead of last year's 77%.

Starcraft/Sprung Filly Secured by O'Shea

SYDNEY, Wednesday 27 January 2010 – John O’Shea highlighted one particular lot after inspections at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and had a wry smile once securing lot 310.

O’Shea went to $80,000 for the Starcraft filly out of speedy Redoute’s Choice mare Sprung and appeared very happy in his purchase.

“I really like what Starcraft has put into his stock so far and this is a good sale to purchase from as Inglis statistics will attest too with recent graduates performing at a good level of racing,”

“We were very keen on the Sprung filly, we just love the way she moved, she had a good hip on her and is a racehorse.” O’Shea said.

“We are just happy to now know that she will be coming into our stable and could be a possible runner in these recent Inglis Graduate races.”

Sydney Classic Yearling Sale came to a close at Newmarket on Monday evening, highlighted by a clearance rate of 83% and a gross of $12,671,500, which represented a 20% increase on figures from 12 months ago, a remarkable result for a catalogue offering 85 fewer lots.

Figures improved across the board and the sale average held strong from yesterday, finishing at $32,913, up from $26,598 in 2009.

Plans in Place for O'Shea's 2YO Excitement Machines

SYDNEY, Monday 25 January 2010 – As the start of the Autumn riches draw near, two of the most exciting juveniles that have been exposed and are sure to play a hand at the business of the 2YO Sydney Autumn in the form of Ambers Waltz and Solar Charged.

Both under the astute conditioner, John O’Shea’s care and he has them both back in full work and is taking both fillies one day at a time and not getting ahead of himself.

Ambers Waltz has had a two week freshen up since her courageous second placing in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic on the Gold Coast and O’Shea says the Danehill Dancer filly could not be in any better order ready to undertake another serious preparation.

“We brought Ambers Waltz back in from the paddock on Friday and she has freshened up well and looks to be in excellent condition,” O’Shea said.

“We will just take her along slowly and to let her tell us if she comes up and upon consultation with her owner Keith Biggs, ideally I had in mind that we would prepare her to run in a race like the Sweet Embrace Stakes, all going well on 13^th March.”

“You will see her class prevail on the Randwick and Rosehill surfaces I would suggest, she’s a big strong scopey filly and will benefit from a roomer track, very adaptable all the same as to where she can be in transit.” O’Shea added.

Solar Charged shot too the top of all experts Golden Slipper thinking when she came out and performed a number on her rivals pre Christmas, romping home comfortably to victory by five and quarter lengths.

“Solar Charged has been back in for nearly a month and is doing particularly well since coming back into the stable, quite amazing really as she is just a young horse and is the consummate professional.” O’Shea commented.

“She’s started some faster work and we are on track at this stage, probably trial her 15^th (February) here at Randwick and from there run in the Silver Slipper Stakes which is 27^th February.”

O’Shea was ever so reminding of the blows that the thoroughbred game can confront you with.

“In all honesty without sounding cliché I cant preempt enough that we just take it each morning and night as it comes not leaving a stone unturned and here’s hoping we are there when the whips will be cracking come the final stages of those nice races.”

“We are just happy too have these two quality fillies that we have in our care and we’ll do the best by them and there connections.”

Fist Of Fury Retired

SYDNEY, Thursday 21 January 2010 -John O’Shea’s talented sprinter Fist Of Fury has joined long-time stablemate Racing To Win in retirement.

Fist Of Fury’s retirement was confirmed by O’Shea this morning when asked of the son of Hussonet’s future.

Now a four-year-old he will be given a chance to prove himself at stud.

In a 10-start career Fist Of Fury won races at Randwick and Rosehill and was Group I-placed behind Northern Meteor in the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington at just his third career start.

O’Shea was forced to retire Racing To Win last week after the veteran galloper suffered a tendon injury during the Hong Kong Mile.