Second place was just as nice as first for trainer-driver Brooke McPherson as Shadesoff confirmed her place as Wagga Horse of the Year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Coming into the last meeting of the season, Shadesoff had a two-point lead over Tactful Lady but ensured there would be no nervous wait.
With her only rival in the following race, a first or second placing was all the mare needed for an unassailable lead and it is exactly what happened.
In a career high for the 21-year-old, McPherson was thrilled to secure the honour.
“It was a relief,” McPherson said.
“I was very proud of her.
“Once again she didn’t let us down.”
While Shadesoff couldn’t run down Special Bet ($2.40 fav) in the J & C Powderly Electrical & Renewable Pace (2165m) McPherson still felt like a winner.
“She is a good little girl,” she said,
“Especially as we want to bred her with that is obviously good to go on her credentials.
“You don’t always get a Horse of the Year, they don’t come around every day.
“Especially as I am so young starting out it is really good.”
Consistency was the key for the daughter of Shadow Play.
She secured four wins, five seconds and two thirds from 14 starts at Wagga over the season.
It’s quickly earned her stable favourite status.
“I would love a stable full of her, I wouldn’t have to work,” McPherson said.
“I don’t think see has put in a bad run (at Wagga) this season.
“Every time she puts in 100 per cent and that got her there.”
McPherson is looking for the four-year-old to have one more season before heading to the broodmare barn.
Wagga is the only track she has won at and McPherson is hoping she can start to repeat her efforts at other tracks in the Riverina.
“I’m going to take her to Leeton on Friday and see how she goes there,” she said.
Meanwhile, Daryll Perrot’s Mandalay Rose was an impressive winner but it could be the last time she’s seen on the track.
Mandalay Rose brought up win four at start number seven as she dominated her rivals to win the Anthony Cummins Auctioneer-Stock & Station Agent Competitive Stakes (1755m) by 15 metres.
Howeer, in doing so suffered a suspected petal bone injury.
Leeton reinsman Reece Maguire also picked up a race-to-race double with Drive The Dream and Our Priddy Maid both brought up back-to-back wins.
Our Priddy Maid has made a strong start after moving to the stable of Chris Hughes, winning at Wagga’s last two meetings after a break.