Alabama to improve on record run

The Shane Tritton-trained Alabama Shakes equalled the Australasian mile record for two-year old fillies when she won a heat of the Pink Bonnet earlier this week. 

Read About Lexy set the previous mark in the Breeders Challenge Blue Final last July, with Alabama Shakes lowering the mark to 1:54.6.

“It was a great performance,” Tritton declared. “She has only been with me for a couple of months and I haven’t done a lot with her, but I think she is going to improve on what she did in her heat.

“She was purchased from New Zealand by the same person who bought Easy On The Eye, so it has been a pretty good couple of weeks.”

Tritton will have two runners in Saturday night’s Pink Bonnet, with stable driver Lauren Panella choosing to drive Alabama Shakes.

The daughter of Changeover will begin from barrier three, with her stablemate, Perfectly Written to come out of five.

“There isn’t a lot between Alabama Shakes and Perfectly Written, and to be honest, up until last week I would have said Perfectly Written had her nose slightly in front,” Tritton said.

“But I think the barrier draw for Saturday night had a lot to do with Lauren’s decision.

“Chris Alford will drive Perfectly Written this weekend. That decision was made by her owner and it wouldn’t be a massive shock if she won, both of my fillies are very talented.”

Four-year-old Yayas Hot Spot has drawn wide in the Paleface Adios Stakes as he attempts to qualify for the Chariots Of Fire on March 1. 

“Yayas Hot Spot has been working very well after returning from Victoria,” Tritton said “I can’t remember going back with him all that often, and when we have, his runs haven’t been very good, so despite the draw we will be going forward at the start.”

Tritton has 10 runners engaged at Menangle with a further three listed as emergencies.

• GREG HAYES