Jockey Adam Hyeronimus is optimistic about a return to winning form with three-year-old colt Shangri La Boy in the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) this Saturday. He believes all indicators are pointing towards a strong performance from the Pierro colt as they tackle the distance test for three-year-old colts and geldings.
Shangri La Boy’s campaign this season has seen mixed results. He finished more than seven lengths off the pace in his first-up run in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m), before showing more resilience to finish three lengths behind the winner in the 1500m Phar Lap Stakes. Now, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained galloper heads into the 2000m Tulloch Stakes at Rosehill for his third run of the preparation. He’s currently rated as the second elect at $3.90, trailing behind the favourite Arcora at $2.80.
Hyeronimus has a solid history with Shangri La Boy, having partnered him in all of his early trial runs and his first three official starts. This successful partnership includes a dominant maiden victory and a commanding two-length win in the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes over 1800m back in October. That Gloaming Stakes victory was Hyeronimus’s last ride on the colt, who subsequently secured a second-place finish in the prestigious Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes over 2000m.
With barrier five in the Tulloch Stakes on Saturday, Hyeronimus is confident that Shangri La Boy can rebound from his two unplaced efforts this campaign.
“He’s done really well. His work through the week was really good,” Hyeronimus commented, reflecting on his recent success, including a win on Catch The Glory in the Birthday Card Stakes on Golden Slipper day last week.
“He seems very happy and I expect him to run a really good race.
“Probably the first two runs have been below his par, but I expect him to bounce back.”
Plagiarism Returns in Tough Company
Another contender for Hyeronimus and the Waterhouse-Bott stable on Saturday is Plagiarism. The Written By colt, who previously finished third in the Golden Gift, was a late scratching from the Pago Pago Stakes, a crucial Golden Slipper qualifier, two weeks prior due to a mild temperature. He is set to make his return in the Group 3 TL Baillieu Handicap (1400m). Despite drawing the widest barrier, gate 16, he is currently listed as a $3.80 favourite.
Hyeronimus was aboard Plagiarism for his most recent outing, where the colt finished a length behind the winner in the Skyline Stakes (1200m). The jockey anticipates that Plagiarism will perform better as he steps up in distance.
“He’s drawn off the track, which is unfortunate,” Hyeronimus stated.
“A few weeks between runs and I think he’d really appreciate 1400.
“He seems like that after his last run, but hopefully he doesn’t have too tough a run from the wide barrier because it’s his first time over 1400.”
A Full Book of Rides
Hyeronimus has a busy schedule on Saturday, with several other notable mounts:
- Aisle Two ($34): He will ride Aisle Two in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes over 2000 metres.
- Our Gold Hope ($34): Another ride for the Robert and Luke Price stable, Our Gold Hope, will compete in the fourth race of the day.
- Kerguelen: Hyeronimus’s mount in the Star Kingdom Stakes, Kerguelen, was unfortunately scratched on Thursday.
- Les Vampires ($81): He continues his association with Les Vampires in the Group 2 Neville Sellwood Stakes. Hyeronimus had a regular association with Les Vampires during his time with Waterhouse and Bott. He was back aboard the now Lucy Longmire-trained five-year-old at his last start, where the horse finished last in the National Sprint (1400m) at Canberra.
“It’ll run a good race. The 2000 metres really suits him,” Hyeronimus said of Les Vampires.
“He hated the track at Canberra the other day. It was disgraceful and he couldn’t pick his feet up. Where he finished wasn’t a reflection of where I probably think he’s at, but he needs to really improve going into this run.
“It’s a tough race, but the 2000m could be a bit of a springboard to the Wagga Cup.”
