Sheza Chalmer set for Belmont Oaks

The LR Belmont Guineas has been the launching pad for Group 1 stars like Kay Cee and Great Shot in recent years but trainer Bernie Miller wasn’t getting carried away after Sheza Chalmer won the latest edition on Saturday.

Sheza Chalmer (3f Vital Equine – Lady Chalmers by Dante’s Fury) motored home to claim the classic by a length over Kerman Rock with another Vital Equine filly Tri For Us in third place.  “She’s very relaxed and we haven’t rushed her,” Miller said.  “She’s ready for 2000 metres so we will see how she pulls up before making a decision on the Belmont Oaks.”

The LR Belmont Oaks (2000m) will be run on July 3.

Sheza Chalmer is the 6th individual Stakes winner by Vital Equine (Ire) who died earlier this season.  He was owned by Yarradale Stud and stood his final years at Roselee Park in Serpentine.

Yarradale champion War Chant (USA) sired Variation to win the 2017 Belmont Guineas and the Gidgegannup nursery was also home to 1987 Belmont Guineas winner Gourmet (Estaminet) when the property was owned by Dr Don McCully.

Sheza Chalmer is the final foal of Lady Chalmers and is a half-sister to city winners Little Shadow (Oratorio) and Snowy River Men (Trade Fair).

Yarradale was also in the news on the interstate front over the weekend.  Gingerbread Man’s three-quarter brother Snitch (Lope De Vega) won his first black-type in the LR Eye Liner Stakes at Ipswich on Saturday.

And Yarradale’s decision to buy Pasadena Girl (Savabeel) for $360,000 at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale last month is already paying dividends.  Her Written Tycoon 2yo Nabbed looked a classic filly for next season after a winning debut at Ballarat on Sunday.

“We’ve always liked her and she’s a natural,” co-trainer Calvin McEvoy said.  “She’s a beautiful filly and did a good job against the older horses today.  She will head to the paddock now and return for the back-end of the spring carnivals.”

Yarradale bought Pasadena Girl on the Gold Coast with a PPT to Written Tycoon.

Yarradale Stud stands War Chant ($11,000), Gingerbread Man ($5,500) and Bradbury’s Luck ($3,300) this year.  All fees (inc GST).

SHEZA CHALMER