SHAGGY ARRIVES IN MELBOURNE FOR SOUTHERN DEBUT

WYONG trainer Allan Kehoe breaks new ground with his first Victorian runner at Caulfield on Saturday.

And he arrived safely in Melbourne earlier this morning with important “cargo” Shaggy, who will contest the Group 3 Vain Stakes (1100m) for three-year-old colts and geldings.

Ben Melham will ride Shaggy, who has 56kg under the set weights plus penalties conditions of the race.

Kehoe also accepted with Shaggy in the Listed The Rosebud (1100m) – also against his own age - at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, but quickly scratched him and headed south.

“With Rosehill on the heavy side, we’re looking for better ground for Shaggy,” Kehoe said this morning.

“We left overnight and arrived at Flemington around 6am.

“Shaggy travelled great, and we gave him a rest for an hour and a half when he got off the float.

“Then he swam a lap of the pool here and went into his box.”

Kehoe, who has prepared 195 career winners, has never ventured south previously and is looking forward to testing Shaggy against Melbourne opposition.

“It looks a really good race,” he said.

“We’re up against five last start winners in the field of eight.”

Those winners include the Team Hayes’ colt Shining Smile (Daniel Stackhouse), who has won his last five starts.

As a result, Shining Smile was the $4 pre-post favorite this morning with TAB.com.au, and Shaggy, surprisingly given he has won three of his five starts, the $21 rank outsider.

“Whilst it is Shaggy’s first start the reverse way of going, I’m sure he will be competitive,” Kehoe said.

“His performance on Saturday will determine whether we come home or leave him here for another race.

“My foreman travelled with me, so he will stay on with Shaggy if we decided to chase another race in Melbourne with him.”

Story John Curtis, August 14, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos