Shoutaboutit’s first-up performance pleased trainer Kristen Buchanan, who is eager to see what she can accomplish on her home track. At Port Macquarie, the daughter of Overshare finished fourth to Body of Venus over 1100m after settling for fourth place and getting wide on the bend. Buchanan is happy to see Shoutaboutit return with more maturity, even though it was a useful attempt and one she will get better at. “She ran well at Port Macquarie and had just one trial before her first-up run,” Buchanan said. She’s a sweet, sincere filly. This preparation has truly been calmed down by her. When she was a young horse, she was really feisty, but she has since grown up well.
Prior to losing to Phenom at Wyong and the undefeated Private Harry at Hawkesbury, she had previously won her debut match against Leantothemoon at Hawkesbury. When she enters the Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap (1000m), where he has ideally drawn in barrier 4, the three-year-old increases in grade but decreases in weight. “She is in a Benchmark 64, which is something to consider, but I don’t think it’s crazy,” Buchanan stated, rather than a Class 1, for which she is qualified. “To get an ideal run, she has drawn a beautiful gate.” I’m excited to get her back out there and see what she can do. All of my horses have really drawn decent gates, which is fantastic. As the market has Justice Warrior on the second line of betting, Buchanan isn’t sure of the three-year-old will take his place in the Super Maiden Plate (1100m) despite his good draw.
Before finishing three-quarter lengths behind King’s Secret at Gosford, Srikandi, the son of Justify and two-time Group 1 winner, finished second to Cashaway Gold when he resumed at Port Macquarie. She stated, “I really want him to win at his next start because he has been good in both runs this time in.” “It looks like a difficult race with a lot of pressure to go fast.” It would be different if there were only one or two leaders there, but not five, and he is a horse that doesn’t sit and run. I am aware that he has drawn well. “Before making a final decision, I will wait until the last minute to see what scratchings there are.” Additionally, Buchanan supports Oakfield Universe in the same race with Aaron Bullock to ride.
Despite racing a touch sluggishly, the three-year-old, who had only had one barrier trial before her debut, performed well to finish second behind the promising Rose of Dubai over 1200m at Newcastle on April 12. Returning to 1100m may not be ideal because she appears to be a filly who will do better over longer distances, but from barrier 1, with lots of speed up front, she should get a nice jump into the race and finish impressively. Although Ready Made Heir finished fourth behind King’s Secret in an inappropriately short 1100m, Buchanan was happy with her debut and believes she will be more comfortable stepping up in trip. This week, King’s Legacy’s daughter competes in the Maiden handicap for fillies, going 1350m and mares.
“It was a good effort first-up and I thought it was a great ride by Andrew (Gibbons) to get where he did from the terrible alley. “I like the step up to 1350 metres for her and looking forward to seeing what she can do.”
