3 minute read

After notching up a hat-trick of wins at Port Macquarie last start progressive galloper Shamekha's Choice appears well on the verge of taking the next step up in grade when he lines up at Warwick Farm this afternoon.

Having failed on debut at Gosford under the watchful eye of the Hawkes stable almost two years ago, connections of Shamekha's Choice elected to geld the well bred son of Redoute's Choice and switch stables sending him to Port Macquarie to join Neil Godbolt's team.

Making his return to racing after over a year off the scene Shamekha's Choice quickly put pay to any fitness concerns when leading all the way to break his maiden status when scoring eased down by six lengths at Port Macquarie.

A $675,000 purchase at the 2011 Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Shamekha's Choice was finally starting to live up to his price tag and would go on to prove his impressive maiden victory was no fluke when saluting at his next two starts by a combined margin of over 10 lengths.

While they were in races of far lesser depth then this afternoon's affair he has clearly proven that he is more than just your average Port Macquarie Class 2 Handicap victor as he has continued to run very good time and has shown the ability to reel off a very fast closing sectional.

Backing up quickly for this afternoon's event, Goldbolt has secured the services of Sydney's leading jockey Hugh Bowman and should derive a lot of benefit from the gun draw.

With noted leaders Grey Drama and Hot Diggity both engaged expect Bowman to take a sit just off the pace to avoid the speed battle up front.

Although it is often hard to get a real gauge of what the strongest formlines are heading into a NMW Handicap, Shamekha's Choice has continued to progress with each career start this time in and with more improvement expected heading into this he should prove very hard to beat.

The John Marzol trained Grey Drama has resumed in fantastic order this time in and appears one of the biggest dangers.

Having led all the way in both starts this time in, Grey Drama proved very impressive when saluting by five lengths at Goulburn when resuming before going on to score by two-and-a-half lengths at Gosford last start.

Drawn a shade awkwardly in barrier nine expect Nathan Berry to press forward in attempt to lead and if allowed to dictate freely in front he could take plenty of catching.

The Kerry Parker trained Country Hustle has been a model of consistency this time in and can be forgiven for his midfield finish at Kembla Grange last start.

Prior to that he had finished second in all three starts this time in and can bounce back to form with Jeff Penza back in the saddle.

The Mark Mason trained Hot Diggity and the Alan Scorse trained Watch The Magic round out the multiples.

Good luck and happy punting.