Underwood a stepping stone for Shamrocker

Trainer Danny O'Brien is not expecting anything spectacular from Melbourne Cup favourite Shamrocker in Saturday's Group 1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield.

The AJC Derby winner opened her spring campaign with a grinding eighth in the 1400m Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on August 27 and O'Brien predicted a similar showing unless the 1800m Underwood is run at a frantic tempo.

"She's not a pick-up and sprint mare, so unless the pace is really on, she'll probably run the same sort of race she did first-up," he said.

"She's not suited to these shorter weight-for-age races. She really needs 2400m and further.

"That said, I'm really happy with how her campaign has gone so far. She's in great shape and she's come on well since the Memsie."

O'Brien said Shamrocker was being prepared for the Melbourne Cup and was no certainty to run in the Caulfield Cup.

"She goes to the Caulfield Stakes after the Underwood, then we'll decide whether she backs up in the Caulfield Cup or has her last lead-up for the Melbourne Cup in the Cox Plate," he said.

Shamrocker is TAB Sportsbet's $12 Cup favourite from December Draw ($13) and Scarlett Lady ($14), who are also racing at Caulfield on Saturday.

Story by Adam Hamilton, to view full Herald Sun story click here

Photo by Bruno Cannatelli, to view Bruno's website click here