MY CALL: THE SILVER SHADOW STAKES - THE RACE THAT DEFINED LIBERTINI AS A CHAMPION SPRINTER-MILER

By David Fowler | Tuesday, August 27, 2019

David Fowler is the principal thoroughbred caller for Radio TAB. David, who is a keen form student and punter, has enjoyed a lifetime involvement in the racing media. His personal blog, ‘My Call’, appears exclusively on HRO.

Libertini delivered a defining moment at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

I’m a hard marker so it’s rare for me to make bold predictions.

And I don’t label almost every horse that wins a future star like several of my media counterparts.

But, in time, you will look back at the Silver Shadow Stakes and recall that was THE race that defined Libertini as a champion sprinter-miler.

I have little doubt on this.

No horse wins with such ease and poise and runs 1:7.93. To repeat, a defining moment.

To underline the merit of the time, rising five-year-old sprint star Deprive clocked 1:8.63 a half an hour later in the Show County.

Take time out to watch Libertini’s win and then watch it again.

Consider what time she could have run had Tommy Berry got serious rather than taking a long right-hand look at the big screen en route to the winning post.

Another significant comparison is Libertini’s 1:7.93 “stroll” up against Santa Ana Lane’s track record of 1:7.45.

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And, expectedly, post-race Libertini chatter was directed to a potential start in The Everest on October 19.

It’s just another fascinating story surrounding an event that is already the talk of the town yet is still seven weeks away.

The Everest has been a promotional masterstroke primarily because of the conversation it generates so far out from the race itself.

And this year there are so many talking points that will lead to an absorbing contest.

Clearly the best The Everest so far.

The Libertini development is simply the latest one.

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Sprint races that were once ho hum affairs have been elevated in importance since the birth of The Everest.

Take the Concorde on September 7 where slot holders Pierata, Redzel and Sunlight will launch their campaigns.

Similarly, a fortnight later, Classique Legend, In Her Time and Santa Ana Lane strut their stuff in The Shorts.

The Western Australian pair of Arcadia Queen and Enticing Star, both confirmed slot holders, are also poised for a racing return.

And the Melbourne Racing Club’s embrace of The Everest concept will see the Schillaci Stakes winner at Caulfield on October 12 earn automatic entry.

That’s not forgetting the array of Everest hopefuls throwing their hats into the ring, hoping for one of the last four spots available.

All of this will consume so much racing conversation in the next six weeks.

Is there anyone left who can’t see the value of this concept on so many fronts?

David Fowler