O'Brien double for star broodmare

Shir capped a great week for star broodmare Leone Chiara and trainer Danny O'Brien making it two wins together, thanks to the gelding's strong win at Cranbourne on Friday night.

On Wednesday, Lady Lupino (two-year-old filly by Sebring) proved giant killer when she rolled $1.20 pop Chenier at Sandown, before Shir (four-year-old gelding by Sepoy) won his second race at his seventh start two days later.

Leone Chiara is also the mother of dual Group 1 winner and top sire Star Witness as well as triple Group 3 winner Nostradamus. She has had nine foals in total, with eight to race for seven winners. The three-year-old that is yet to race is named Embracer and is with Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, and has won two recent Sydney trials.

"It has been a sensational family and this mare just keeps producing. I loved training her and the thrills she has given me with her progeny has been outstanding," trainer Danny O'Brien said.

Jockey Jamie Mott put in a masterful ride for his old boss on Shir, when he made use of the inside barrier to settle just behind the leaders in running before being able to pounce and claim the prize inside the final furlong.

O'Brien is hoping the patience the owners have shown in the four-year-old will pay dividends this preparation.

"He has been a slow maturer and he had absolutely no luck first-up at Geelong as he went to the line untested. He was very good today and Jamie gave him the opportunity with an excellent ride and hopefully his will build his confidence," O'Brien said.

The 16-time Group 1 winning trainer said he will take Shir along slowly and continue taking him through his grades in the last few months of the season.

Pic by Racing Photos