ARTIE’S Shore, the rank outsider at odds of more than 100/1, will give Warrnambool trainer Matthew Williams a better insight into his capabilities when he runs in the $500,000 Australian Guineas at Flemington today.
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The lightly-raced Artie’s Shore runs against some of the best three-year-old horses in Australia in the race over 1600 metres.
Williams admitted it was a huge step up from running Artie’s Shore in restricted races to group 1 company but declared the horse was fit and ready for the task at hand.
“We’re just having a throw at the steps,” he said.
“It’s a really tough task to be running against the best three-year-olds at level weights but after discussions with the owners we decided to have a crack at it.
“People forget the Orford- owned Tears I Cry won the 2007 Emirates Stakes at odds of 100/1.
“I’m not saying we’re going to win but you never know if you don’t have a go. You can’t win races if you stay in the stables at home.
“I would be over the moon if he ran midfield in the Classic race.”
Williams said he was confident Artie’s Shore would develop into a nice horse once he matured.
“He’s only had the eight starts. His maiden win at Warrnambool two runs back was well deserved,” he said.
“He should have won his maiden before that effort as he had been unlucky in a few runs. Artie’s Shore was really unlucky last time at Sandown when he ran second,” the young trainer said.
“He came from well back at Sandown and motored home over the concluding stages.
“The winner of the race came from well back so I’m not sure if the Sandown race was not a swooper’s race.
“I think given time Artie’s Shore will develop into a nice country cups horse.”
Ciaron Maher, who has stables at Caulfield and Winslow, runs the last-start Pakenham winner Catered in the $150,000 group 3 Frances Tressady Stakes over 1400 metres.
Catered has won four races from her 20 starts.