RACING FORUM

Posted: **Wed Aug 17, 2016 23:24 pm**

Trainer John O'Shea is hoping that smart filly Calliope (Exceed and Excel-Melpomene, by Elusive Quality) can use Saturday's Gr1 Silver Shadow Stakes as a stepping stone to Group One success in the spring. A winner of the Listed Gimcrack Stakes & Gr2 Magic Night Stakes from four starts as a 2YO, Calliope is being aimed at the Gr1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on 8 October. “I think she’s ready to run well first up after a nice trial and some first class work at home this week," O'Shea told godolphin.com. “She’s had her problems in the gates which is well-known, but we’ve tried to keep her in a positive frame of mind since her trial last week, keep her relaxed and happy." He added: "There’s no doubt she’s a high class filly who I’d like to progress to a race like the Thousand Guineas later in the spring.” A homebred for Darley Stud, Calliope is out of the stakes placed Elusive Quality mare Melpomene, a daughter of Gr1 VRC Oaks winner Bulla Borghese.