Trainer John O'Shea has hit back at critics of multiple Group One winner Racing To Win, saying he is spot on for his autumn campaign which continues in Saturday's star-studded TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick.The grey champion beat just three runners home carrying 61kg in the Listed Schweppervesence on a very heavy track at Rosehill on April 4.Racing To Win, whose brilliant career has been plagued by injuries, was having his first start since triumphing in last August's Group Two Warwick Stakes (1400
Trainer John O'Shea has hit back at critics of multiple Group One winner Racing To Win, saying he is spot on for his autumn campaign which continues in Saturday's star-studded TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick.
The grey champion beat just three runners home carrying 61kg in the Listed Schweppervesence on a very heavy track at Rosehill on April 4.
Racing To Win, whose brilliant career has been plagued by injuries, was having his first start since triumphing in last August's Group Two Warwick Stakes (1400m).
"I thought his run was very, very good," O'Shea said.
"They didn't go hard and he got back in a slowly run race with 61 kilos on his back on a bog track and he couldn't pick up and that's something I don't think people have taken into consideration with his performance.
"But I'm very happy with him and the way he's pulled up." The 1200 metre race features international sprint king Takeover Target and Apache Cat.
O'Shea said what ever happens on Saturday, the run will prime Racing To Win for his defence of the Group One All-Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Anzac Day.
When asked about Racing To Win's opposition for Saturday jockey Hugh Bowman was straight to the point.
"He's never been beaten second-up," Bowman said.
"There will always be critics but if you look at that last race, they walked and I thought his performance had plenty of merit and he feels spot on to me. John is very happy with him and that's all that matters."