A last-start winner of the Listed Xmas Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield, $2.05 favourite Sghirripa put three lengths on his nearest rival with pair of $8 chances Crosshaven and Curran dead heating for second.
For the Strathalbyn father-daughter training duo, Sghirripa has the opportunity to provide a taste of Group One racing in the future, with the four-year-old likely to be targeted at next month's Oakleigh Plate.
"I've been lucky enough to win a couple of other group three's back at home and they're good races but I've never had a horse as good at this bloke, I've said for a long while I think he's the best horse I've had and he just keeps lifting the bar," Shane Oxlade said.
"That's been the plan since he was lucky enough to win last start, things can always change but as present he'll go home tomorrow night, be in the paddock Tuesday morning for eight or ten days and I guess that gives us time to make up our mind."
