Tom Dabernig may have 18 Group 1 victories to his name, but none would have provided as much satisfaction as Shadhavar’s victory in the C F Orr Stakes.
Run at Sandown as the final Group 1 of the Victorian Spring for the second year, Shadhavar continued her purple patch of form to defeat a field of five – all of whom were Group One winners.
Sent out a $7 chance under Kerrin Mcevoy, Shadhavar sat outside Beiwacht and took over early in the straight, holding off the late charge from Pericles ($3.70) by 3/4 of a length, with 2-1/4 lengths back to $3.40 favourite Jimmysstar in third.
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Having previously trained in partnership with David, and then Ben Hayes at Lindsay Park, Dabernig moved to Warrnambool in 2021 to train under his own name, with Shadhavar his first individual Group One win from eight attempts.
“It gives everyone a big thrill,” Dabernig said.
“She’s a classic example of a horse we had since a yearling, and she’s been able to develop and get to group one level.
“I think that when we got her to 1400 (metres) is when she really went to another level, and her three runs at this distance, she’s now undefeated.
“When this Group One was on our doorstep, I said we’re mad not to have a try because when these mares get in form like this, the purple patch that we talk of, you really have to take advantage of it.”
In an interesting sub-plot to the C F Orr Stakes, Shadhavar’s regular rider Craig Williams was aboard the runner up Pericles, having made a prior commitment to the Bjorn Baker gelding before Shadhavar won the Group 3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day.
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That left the ride open for Kerrin McEvoy, who rode his first Group One winner in Melbourne since steering Cross Counter to victory in the 2018 Melbourne Cup.
“I’ve known Tom since I was an apprentice back in our Lindsay Park days,” McEvoy said.
“I haven’t ridden for Tom since he’s gone out on his own, so it’s really pleasing to get this win for him.”