Group One-winning mare Consensus added a second Group Three win to her record at Trentham on Saturday when victorious in the Trentham Stakes (2100m) and the seven-year-old mare will be aiming to increase that tally to three next month.

 

The Stephen McKee-trained runner will bypass the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) next month in favour of the Gr.3 Platinum Homes Taranaki Cup (1800m) at New Plymouth on February 2.

 

“She’s nominated for the Herbie Dyke Stakes, but we will probably miss that one,” McKee said. 

 

“She hasn’t gone her best races at Te Rapa, so she will run in the Taranaki Cup in about three weeks’ time.

 

“She has pulled up well, she was home just after midnight on Saturday night, she looks really well.”

 

 

New Zealand bred and owned mare Shillelagh was among a host of nominations by leading trainer Chris Waller for the A$5 million All Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington in March.

 

With star stablemate Winx a notable absentee from the nominations, Shillelagh is well credentialed for the lucrative mile race. 

 

Raced by her Hunterville breeders Christopher and Susanna Grace, Shillelagh won the Gr.1 Cantala Stakes (1600m) at Flemington in 2017 and returned to the venue 12 months later to land the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m). 

 

“She continues to prove herself as one of the best mares in Australia and her track and distance record speaks for itself,” Waller said. 

 

“She is in career best form this season.”

 

Waller also nominated star three-year-old The Autumn Sun, in addition to Ancient Spirit, D’Argento, Unforgotten, Tom Melbourne and Kaonic.