Shrewd primed for big run as Jardine's thoughts turn to Melbourne

Iain Jardine says Shrewd is hitting form at the right time as the trainer targets another big staying prize in the Cesarewitch.

After Saturday's big Newmarket handicap Jardine will turn his attention to the Melbourne Cup and on Thursday he will bid farewell to Ebor winner Nakeeta, who delivered his biggest win in Europe's most valuable handicap at York in August and flies to Australia for his next date at Flemington on November 7.

Jardine hopes to further underline his record with stayers at Newmarket when Shrewd bids to build on two recent thirds in Doncaster's Mallard Handicap and the Cesarewitch Trial over Saturday's course and distance.

"He's had a good preparation, having been third in the trial the other day," said Jardine. "He'll travel down the day before and as long as we don't get a lot of rain he should be happy on the ground.

"On the back of his run last time I would expect the horse to be competitive and run a nice race. He worked on Tuesday and went really nicely so he's certainly hitting form at the right time of year."

In addition to his success with Nakeeta, Jardine has picked up four races this year with the progressive stayer Sepal and three with Tor.

Ebor winner Nakeeta will bid to become the first horse trained in Britain to win the £3.7 million Melbourne Cup, in which 2016 Ebor winner Heartbreak City was beaten a head last year.

"It would be good to win it," said Jardine. "The Ebor, Cesarewitch and Melbourne Cup would be some achievement.

"Nakeeta is due to fly out on Thursday having been in quarantine for a fortnight. We're not sure who will ride him."

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