O’Shea fires warning as Napoleonic targets Hobartville upset

John O’Shea knew he had to have a fitness edge on Group 1 winners Autumn Boy and Attica when Napoleonic meets them in Saturday’s Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill.

That’s why the Wootton Bassett colt returned in the Eskimo Prince Stakes and history says it’s a real advantage – four out of last five Hobartville Stakes winners were second-up and only one of them came off a win.

Napoleonic had to play second fiddle to Everest runner-up Tempted on his return, but the metrics out of the run have O’Shea excited about his chances.

“He is a colt that isn’t as seasoned as the other two horses that won Group 1s in the spring, and he needs racing to get there,” O’Shea said.

“He is a miler, who improves with every run and has really benefited from that run.”

“I think he ran into the best sprinter in the country in Tempted, so to run second to her is no disgrace.”

“He smashed the clock as well, and he will be better suited at the 1400m.”

“We are really happy with him and the way he is heading, and they are going to have to be at the top of their game to beat him.”

Surprisingly, Magic Millions Guineas runner-up Ninja is the $3.10 favourite, while Napoleonic and Autumn Boy are $3.80 and posied to challenge at the top of the market.

O’Shea and trainer partner Tom Charlton are hoping for a scratching in the Parramatta Cup to allow import Tom Hawkens a start.

He had a run for Newmarket trainer William Haggas in the spring, when down the track in the St Leger, before staying with O’Shea and his two barrier trials have been sharp.

“We are hoping he gets a run because he is a nice horse,” O’Shea said. “He is a stayer, but he is ready to go on Saturday.”