Scintillation earns shot at Melbourne riches

Scintillation settled close to the lead, took control of the race early in the straight and easily held her rivals at bay in the Marcellin College Randwick Handicap (1100m).

Master trainer John O’Shea said that Scintillation has delivered on the first part of a long range plan.

“We decided some months ago to target this race and if she ran well then we will take her to Melbourne for the (Group 3 $200,000) Quezette Stakes at Caulfield in three weeks,” said O’Shea, who trains in partnership with Tom Charlton.

“I’m not sure how she will go on racing the Melbourne direction so the Caulfield race will determine what we do with her in the spring.

“But she’s a very promising filly and it was good to see her get the job done today.”

Scintillation ($7.50) forged clear to win by three-quarters of a length from the fast finishing Suasion($18) with Lorax ($18) a close third.

Letters Patent was backed into $2.80 favouritism and was given every chance by James McDonald before finishing fifth.

Scintillation had two starts earlier in the season, winning on debut at Gosford then picking up some black type when third behind Medicinal in the Group 3 Ottawa Stakes.

If the O’Shea-Charlton filly can win at stakes level, then she will become a very valuable potential broodmare in years to come as she is superbly bred by champion sire I Am Invincible out is first foal out Minhaaj, a daughter of Exceed And Excel.

O’Shea trained Minjaal to win three Group 3 races including the 2021 The Nivison.

Star young jockey Zac Lloyd predicts a bright future for Scintillation after her impressive win.

“I might have got to the front too soon but she was always going to win,” Lloyd said.

“She was actually drawing away from them again on the line, she was very strong late in the race.

‘”But I think she is essentially a sprinter – she is bred to be a sprinter and is only going to improve with racing.”