John O'Shea watched on as Smart Missile earned all the accolades at Rosehill on Saturday, but the Randwick trainer was far from waving the white flag ahead of the Golden Rose.O'Shea, who prepares Foxwedge, is looking forward to the Group One $1 million Golden Rose (1400m) on September 10 where another encounter with the unbeaten Smart Missile awaits.Foxwedge won the San Domenico Stakes (1100m) first-up before he had to settle for second in Saturday's Run To The Rose (1200m) when the Anthony Cumm
John O'Shea watched on as Smart Missile earned all the accolades at Rosehill on Saturday, but the Randwick trainer was far from waving the white flag ahead of the Golden Rose.
O'Shea, who prepares Foxwedge, is looking forward to the Group One $1 million Golden Rose (1400m) on September 10 where another encounter with the unbeaten Smart Missile awaits.
Foxwedge won the San Domenico Stakes (1100m) first-up before he had to settle for second in Saturday's Run To The Rose (1200m) when the Anthony Cummings-trained Smart Missile produced a first-up performance to remember.
Smart Missile is the $2.20 Golden Rose favourite but O'Shea says he certainly hasn't given up hope of turning the tables in Sydney's first Group One of the season.
"No, not at all," O'Shea said.
"I tried to make this comment during the week. Everyone kept saying going into the race (Run To The Rose) that Foxwedge had the fitness edge but I don't agree with that.
"My bloke sat in a box for seven days last week (after the San Domenico) while it was raining, the favourite was galloping on the course proper on the Sunday.
"I'll tell you he'll improve dramatically off the run.
"I love going into Group Ones third-up."
The closest O'Shea has come to winning the Golden Rose was with Racing To Win who finished second to Paratroopers in 2005.
Foxwedge is on the third line of Golden Rose betting at $8.
"We wouldn't swap our bloke, congratulations to the winner (Smart Missile), they've got a talented racehorse and they deserve all the accolades they are going to get," O'Shea said.
"But don't worry, we're happy with our fellow and we're going to go into the race (Golden Rose) thinking we can win."
Magic Millions winner Karuta Queen took up her customary front running role in Saturday's Run To The Rose but the Neville Layt-trained filly surprised O'Shea with the speed she set in front.
O'Shea is hoping the tempo over 1400 metres can aid his charge.
"We'll go on to a fortnight and my bloke will be third-up, coming to a peak and we're really happy to be putting a saddle on his back," he said.
"The tempo of the seven (furlongs, 1400m) may just suit him a little bit better where he can be on the bunny and give his good kick.
"We've just got to hope that the other chances in the race are in a backward position and we're making our own luck."