Shadow to join select fraternity

MULTIPLE feature race winner Castalong Shadow is aiming to join a select group of youngsters on Saturday night.

Set to contest the Bathurst Gold Chalice, the colt is attempting to become the fourth to complete the Gold Crown/Chalice double.

Soho Valencia was the first to manage the feat in 2010 and ’11, followed by Ultimate Art in 2012 and ’13 and Artistic Flite in 2014 and ’15.

Successful in last season’s Crown, Castalong Shadow enters the second part of the equation having run third in his heat earlier this week.

Pleased with the three-year-old’s performance, trainer Geoff Simpson is quietly confident Castalong Shadow can claim the top prize despite drawing barrier seven.

The son of Shadow Play slots into six with the removal of the emergency.

“He seems to be back to his best and has come through his heat run in good shape,” Simpson said. “I thought his run the other day was quite fair as there was a strong wind up the back and anything exposed to the wind was doing it tough.

“His draw isn’t flash, but he is an each way chance and will be better with a sit if he can find one.”

Stating the draw has favoured Mackeral, Simpson believes Code Bailey is among the leading chances despite receiving the outside of the line.

“Drawing the pole has brought Mackeral right into it,” Simpson said. “Code Bailey was very in his heat and should be in it again.

“I thought Falcon Stride ran on very well in his heat and could be a big chance after drawing two.”