Classy Warrnambool mare Shadhavar will have an important jockey change when she chases her first Group 1 victory in Saturday’s $1 million C.F. Orr Stakes at Sandown. 
Top Sydney hoop Kerrin McEvoy has been booked to ride Shadhavar after Craig Williams elected to ride Pericles in the 1400-metre feature. Williams has ridden Shadhavar to four of her eight wins including victories at her last two starts, at Group 2 and Group 3 level.
Trainer Tom Dabernig said it was disappointing the winning combination would be split up this Saturday.
“It’s bad luck he’s not riding as he has a very good understanding of her but that’s racing,” Dabernig said. “We’ve got Kerrin on board and he’s a world-class jockey. We’re not losing anything.”
Daberning said Shadhavar had pulled up “really well” from her win in the HKJC Stakes on Melbourne Cup day. 
“We haven’t had to do much work with her. She’s very fit. We’ve just kept her ticking over. 
“The Orr is a jump in class but I’m sure she’s up to it. She’s a good, honest mare with an excellent record over the 1400 metres.”
A small Orr field won’t worry Dabernig.
“I expect we’ll be leading or on the pace, that’s her racing style,” he said. “I can’t see any reason to change anything. 
“The Orr is a race I’ve had planned for Shadhavar for a fair while if everything fell into place during the spring and it has, so we’ll give it a good crack.”
Shadhavar, a five-year-old, has won $768,090 from her 19 starts. 
Cavalry Girl, another stable star for the Warrnambool trainer, has been sent to the spelling paddock after being found to have an abscess on her off-front foot.
“She’d had a good campaign,” Dabernig said. “We’ll look at a race like the Lightning Stakes (in February) as a goal for her.”
Aside from the two star mares, Dabernig’s stable has been in form, with 10 winners from his last 40 starters overall.
Patience pays with Point
Passionate Woolsthorpe-based racehorse owner Janice McKenna praised co-trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman after underrated mare Point Barrow scored her first Group 1 win in the $3 million Champions Sprint at Flemington last Saturday. 
Point Barrow, who is part-owned by McKenna and races in her blue and green hooped colours, started at $18 and defeated rank outsider Plaintiff ($101) in the 1200-metre feature.
Hot favourite Tempted was unplaced.
McKenna was excited by the four-year-old’s win.
“It was a wonderful effort,” she said. “Anthony and Sam have done a great job. They haven’t rushed her. 
“They’ve given her plenty of time to mature and that decision is paying dividends now.”
Anthony Freedman said Point Barrow would have a break before being set for the Lightning Stakes and Newmarket Handicap at Flemington early next year.
Crescent shines
Consistent Warrnambool galloper Southern Crescent added a sixth win to her record when she was successful in a $35,000 benchmark 66 at Ararat last Sunday.
Ridden by Jack Hill, Southern Crescent ($5) defeated Relentless Wind by a length.
Trainer Aaron Purcell said he was confident Southern Crescent would run well off a first-up placing at Hamilton.
“She’s a handy mare,” he said. “I knew she would be hard to beat if she jumped well. 
“Full credit to Jack. It was a very good ride. 
“I think there’s still improvement in her and more wins in store.”
From her 23 starts Southern Crescent has six wins, seven minor placings and $195,775 in earnings.