Revisiting history on the wish list for Pangrazio

Neville Pangrazio hopes to revisit harness racing history when he harnesses up Shesawish (Wishing Stone) in the Group 1 Vicbred Super Series three-year-old trotting fillies’ final at Melton on Saturday (Sep. 16) night.

Dual Group 1-winning filly Moonshine Linda won the corresponding race in 2018 after taking out the two-year-old feature the previous year, when trained by Pangrazio and driven by Nathan Jack.

“I gave her to Gavin (Lang) to train as a three-year-old, which was the year she completed back-to-back Vicbred finals,” Pangrazio said.

Pangrazio and Jack have again joined forces with Shesawish, who has won her past three starts including the Maryborough Oaks and The Holmfield.

The Rochester trainer hopes a second-row draw isn’t as bad as it appears on paper, with Shesawish following out Aldebaran Miley in barrier two.

“I think Glamour Stride will be pretty keen to hold the lead from the pole, leaving Aldebaran Miley parked initially. Then the favourite Rockinwithattitude will probably work forward into the death, leaving us two back in the running line,” Pangrazio said.

Pangrazio expects mid-race action from the Emma Stewart-trained second favourite Susan Is Her Name, who has a wide second-row draw.

“Susan Is Her Name will take off to get into the action and then it’s up to Nathan whether he goes in front of her or sits up and comes with one run at them,” he said.

Pangrazio’s main task is keeping Shesawish on an even keel.

“She’s always very hot, and I have to keep her under control and try to tame her,” he said.

Pangrazio acknowledged the David Miles-trained multiple Group 1 winner Rockinwithattitude was the horse to beat, labelling Shesawish the “underdog”.

It is also shaping as a memorable night for Pangrazio’s wife Louise, who bred both Shesawish and three-year-old trotting colts and geldings finalist Prince Of Rock.

A total of $1.5million in prizemoney goes up for grabs across the 12 races on Saturday night, with the wall-to-wall TrotsVision coverage headed up by Ryan Phelan, Kirsten Graham, Brittany Graham and caller Dan Mielicki.

For complete race entries, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harness Racing Victoria