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Neville Pangrazio is anticipating a step in the right direction for Shesawish (Wishing Stone) after a bout of asthma has kept the top squaregaiter out of action since December.
The daughter of Shesasundon will be looking to begin her four-year-old harness racing season in winning fashion on Saturday night when she lines up in the Aldebaran Park Vulcan Trotters Free For All at Melton.
“It’s a very hot field for a four-year-old taking them on. This is a different kettle of fish for her and since she has got asthma, it’s always a hassle to get her right,” Pangrazio said.
Shesawish finished second in the Breeders Crown Final for three-year-old trotting fillies behind Rockinwithattitude during late November and closed out her 2023 campaign with a run at Bendigo on December 8.
“She ran sixth (at Bendigo) when she should have probably won. I would have been a bit of an idiot if I didn’t give her a rest,” he said.
The process to get the winner of over $100,000 back to the track has been a laborious one for the Rochester local.
“It’s been a long, slow preparation and I thought we were ready to race a couple of weeks ago because she has been trialling good,” he said.
“I tried to get her breathing right, which is her main problem. When it has been a really windy and dusty day, that’s bad for her.
“Her preparation has been good, but her main problem has always been the asthma.”
Shesawish has drawn one for the $24,000 feature with Anthony Butt set to pilot the mare.
“I expect to lead and hand up to someone who will be on the scene, which will probably be Ollivici,” Pangrazio said. “She can easily hold the lead if she wanted to, but I am pretty sure she will take a sit this time.”
The Chris Lang and Sonia Maher-prepared Ollivici opened favourite with the TAB at $1.50, while Shesawish sits at $12 during early betting.
The Aldebaran Park Vulcan Trotters Free For All is set to go at 7.30pm.
For complete race entries, click here.
by Lachlan Mitchell, for Harness Racing Victoria
