While he hoped it wouldn’t be so soon, Shane Oxlade knew the day would come when he would have to contemplate a stable without the two horses that have taken him to some of racing’s dizzying heights over the past few seasons.
In recent years, Oxlade’s small Strathalbyn-based stable has packed a punch that has defied its boutique size, mainly due to the presence of top-class sprinters Queman and Sghirippa.
Queman gave Oxlade and his daughter Cassie their first and only G1 win in the 2024 Oakleigh Plate, while multiple Stakes winner Sghirippa has tackled G1 races in Melbourne and Adelaide seven times since 2024.
Queman died in February and while Sghirippa will press on to next month’s G1 Goodwood after a solid run in the G3 Irwin Stakes last week, the reality is the six-year-old’s best racing may be behind him.
Oxlade hopes to unearth a new generation of Stakes performers that can take the baton this autumn and he’s identified three-year-olds It’sanotherbattle and Captain Happy as the most likely types.
The pair will clash in Saturday’s 1000m 3YO contest at Morphettville, with Oxlade optimistic his homebred filly can improve her record after her first defeat at Oakbank last start.
“If she steps and does everything right, It’sanotherbattle can win,” Oxlade said.
“With the run under her belt and the experience from Oakbank, I think she’s the pick of my two in the race.
“I’ve got no doubt she is Stakes quality.
“If the Redelva was 1000m, we would’ve gone straight to that race instead of going to Oakbank but I was just worried because she can get aggressive and wants to get running.
“Captain Happy will certainly improve with the run and I would’ve liked another trial under his belt.”
