SHIR READY TO ROAR

The in-form Danny O'Brien stable is looking to town with well-related Shir after his authoritative winning performance at Bendigo on Sunday.

Partnered by gun hoop Luke Currie, Shir made a mockery of the outside gate and rolled forward to sit on pace before racing away with the dominant win in the 1300m BM70 event.

The lightly-raced four-year-old gelding is a half-brother to O'Brien's gun sprinter Star Witness and recent Group 1 Champagne Stakes placed Lady Lupino.  The Flemington-trainer has had great success with the family having trained their dam Leone Chiara and her half-brother, and sire,  Ascot Vale Stakes winner Ferocity.

"He has plenty of ability as most have had from the family and it's good to see him start to put together," O'Brien said.

"Being by Sepoy he has been a late maturing type, but he is heading in the right direction and this was a strong field."

O'Brien said he was looking to test the gelding in town and that he would keep his campaign going for the remainder of the season.

"He handles a wet track, so while he is in form we will keep him going and look to win more prizmoney with him this season."

The win was Shir's third from his tenth race start, with has included two placings.

Pic by Racing Photos