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O'Shea hoping returning runners don't have to do heavy lifting at Kembla

O'Shea hoping returning runners don't have to do heavy lifting at Kembla

The Age05-05-2025
Randwick trainer John O'Shea will be keeping a close eye on the weather and track condition at Kembla Grange for Tuesday's meeting as he plots the return to racing of a couple of talented stable runners.
O'Shea, who trains in partnership with Tom Charlton, is hoping for the Kembla track to dry out a little from heavy to soft to boost his chances of snaring a potential winning double.
O'Shea has Livin' Thing and Lady Zodiac set to contest the Racing Mates Provincial Benchmark 64 Handicap (1000m), while the promising Straand Beauty is down to run in the JJJ Racing Punters Precinct 31st May Bennchmark 64 Handicap (1200m).
'Straand Beauty is a handy Exceed And Excel gelding that is having his first run for us and is first up from a spell,' O'Shea said. 'But he has already shown his fair share of talent. He's been placed in city company three times and has won a Wyong maiden.
'He's had a couple of barrier trials in preparation for his return, and he's looked good in both of them. We are just looking for a reasonable surface for him to kick off again in. He's ready to go
though.'
Braith Nock takes the ride on Straand Beauty, and O'Shea is impressed with the apprentice.
'He's ridden plenty of winners, and we've had a bit of luck with him and, importantly, he can still claim at the provincials, so that comes in handy,' O'Shea said.
Apprentice Anna Roper is booked to ride Livin' Thing, while Tyler Schiller is down to ride Lady Zodiac.
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