Leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller has attempted to freshen Group One winner Shillelagh ahead of Saturday’s Gr.1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.

The New Zealand-bred and owned galloper was disappointing in her last start unplaced run in the Gr.1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill last month and Waller is hoping she can recapture her earlier form when finishing runner-up in the Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m) in the race prior.

“We have endeavored to freshen her up the best we can by backing off the intense galloping and just doing more slow work and maintenance gallops, including a work out on Tuesday morning over 1000m where she was hard held and worked very well,” Waller said.

“Her run in the Australian Cup was certainly a very good performance and her run in the Ranvet was well below her best on the heavy track, however her form would suggest that she is nowhere near as effective on heavy going.

“We are hoping that it gets back to the better side of soft and if that is the case, she can bounce back to form.

She has a lovely draw (barrier three) and Craig Williams now knows her well, having ridden her in her previous two starts.

“I am hoping she can begin well and utilise her good gate so that she can come with a good, strong finish over the concluding stages carrying a nice, light weight of 53kg.”