Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Scintillation made a winning return at Randwick on Saturday, taking control of the Marcellin College Randwick Handicap over 1100 metres before holding off her rivals. The result completed the first stage of a spring plan mapped out by trainers John O'Shea and Tom Charlton.
Ridden by Zac Lloyd, Scintillation settled behind the leaders before moving to the front early in the straight. The $7.50 chance defeated Suasion by three-quarters of a length, with Lorax another neck away in third.
More Victorian racing coverage is available in Luke Currie Backs Winnasedge for Bletchingly Stakes Test.
Caulfield Test Awaits Scintillation
John O'Shea confirmed the Group 3 Quezette Stakes at Caulfield in three weeks is the next planned target.
“We decided some months ago to target this race and if she ran well then we will take her to Melbourne for the Group 3 $200,000 Quezette Stakes at Caulfield in three weeks,” John O'Shea said.
The Caulfield run will help the stable decide Scintillation's spring program, including how she handles racing in the Melbourne direction.
Zac Lloyd Backs Bright Future
Zac Lloyd believed he may have reached the lead earlier than planned, but he was always confident Scintillation had the race under control.
“I might have got to the front too soon but she was always going to win,” Zac Lloyd said.
“She was actually drawing away from them again on the line, she was very strong late in the race.”
Scintillation previously won on debut at Gosford before finishing third behind Medicinal in the Group 3 Ottawa Stakes. Favourite Letters Patent finished fifth despite receiving a clear run under James McDonald.
Official race information is available through the Racing New South Wales website.