City test for Shamekha's Choice at Farm

Tuesday 8 January 2013, 3:11pm

Port Macquarie trainer Neil Godbolt doesn't race horses in Sydney too often.

But when you've got a horse that's well-bred and is the winner of its past three starts in the country by a combined total of 17 lengths, a trip to town is hard to resist.

Godbolt will be at Warwick Farm on Wednesday with Shamekha's Choice, a four-year-old gelding by Redoute's Choice out of Shamekha, a three-time Group One winner.

In his three starts for Godbolt, Shamekha's Choice has been a revelation in the country with runaway wins at Port Macquarie, Taree, and Port Macquarie again to earn a city start in the Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1000m).

"I don't have a lot of city runners but wish I had more," Godbolt said.

"It's a bit too far to travel unless I think they can be competitive.

"The way he's won his three starts he certainly deserves a crack at it. I'm only too happy to make the trip if I think they've got a chance."

Shamekha's Choice opened his account for Godbolt with a six-length maiden win at Port Macquarie in November before posting class two wins at Taree by 4-1/2-lengths and Port Macquarie by 6-1/2-lengths.

Godbolt says the Warwick Farm race will be a good test but believes the sprinter will be able to hold his own.

"I think he'll measure up to them going on the times he's been running," Godbolt said.

"He hasn't beaten anything of note but he's been beating them unextended so we're hoping he'll measure up to city class."

Godbolt trains a team of around 20 on the NSW mid-north coast.

His most recent city winner in Sydney was Never Doubt Me at Randwick in August 2011.

He says there's always room for more horses like Shamekha's Choice.

"We don't get horses that are bred like this in the country very often," he said.

"I very much thank Trevor Lobb from Emirates Park for giving him to me to train and hopefully he can go on and do the job tomorrow."

– AAP

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