Returning from a 15-week break, the 4-year-old Shalaa (IRE) gelding Recommendation turned a competitive Listed Sportsbet Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield into a 7-length walk-in-the-park.
Given a positive ride by Blake Shinn, the Ciaron Maher-trained gelding rounded the home turn under double wraps. When the brakes were released, Recommendation left his rivals in his wake.
Party For Two (Sidestep) was a distant second, with the winner’s stablemate Mrs Chrissie (Per Incanto) back in third.
With the Group III Zeditave Stakes and Listed ATC Razor Sharp Handicap under his belt, Recommendation advances his record to seven wins, three seconds, and three thirds from 17 starts with earnings of $721,795.
“He wasn’t beaten far in the Oakleigh Plate on a firm deck, but I didn’t expect him to win that easily,” Maher said.
&ldq
uo;Normally, we take him to a couple of jumpouts before racing, but his recovery and data were very good.
“Blake rang me earlier and said he was the horse he wanted to ride. Credit to him, he rode him very well.
“He will probably run in the Bletchingly rather than the Aurie’s Star; he looks as if he has not turned a hair, so hopefully, he is in for a good spring.”
Bred by Pacific King Pty Ltd, Recommendation, races for a large group of owners, which include Nick and Gail Psaltis.
He is the best of three winners from four to race out of the unraced Street Cry (IRE) mare Adviso (USA), a daughter of the 4-time Grade 1 winner Proviso (Dansili).
Adviso has a yearling sister to Recommendation, who was a $150,000 purchase for Satomi Oka Bloodstock (FBAA)/Omen Bloodstock from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
After foaling a filly by THe Autumn Sun last spring, Adviso (USA) was covered by Snitzel.
Recommendation is one of 17 stakes-winners for Invincible Spirit’s Group 1 Middle Park Stakes and Prix Morny winner Shalaa (IRE), who stands at Woodside Park Stud for $19,800 in 2024.
