Chris Waller is tipping more Sydney form reversals like the one turned in by former New Zealand mare Shillelagh (NZ) (Savabeel) to win the Godolphin Crown.
Sent out at double-figure odds, Shillelagh posted her first win since a transfer to Sydney's premier stable with a come-from-behind victory in the $175,000 race at Hawkesbury on Saturday.
"I think you will see a lot of results like that over the next six weeks with a bit of sunshine about," Waller said.
Shillelagh made a name for herself during the Melbourne spring carnival, winning at Caulfield for New Zealand trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards.
But her arrival in Waller's yard has coincided with a wet autumn and she had been beaten a combined 24 lengths in three starts for the leading trainer.
"She's been a pretty talented mare right throughout and she came across from New Zealand in good order," Waller said.
"But she lost her way a bit because of the wet."
Charging down the outside for Tye Angland, Shillelagh ($11) defeated the favourite Daysee Doom ($2.70) by three-quarters of a length with Kinshachi ($17) a 1-1/4 away third.
Waller said Shillelagh would follow a logical path to the Dark Jewel Classic, a Group Three race for fillies and mares run during the Scone Cup carnival.
"Long-term a race like the Tatt's Tiara might be worth looking out to give her a chance in an Australian Group One," Waller said.
