Earthquake Aims To Strike In William Reid

Time/Date - 21.45hrs local time/Friday, March 27, 2015 Racecourse/Country - Moonee Valley/Australia Surface/Distance - Turf/6f

Earthquake returns to Group One level for the Brown Baldwin William Reid Stakes over six furlongs at Moonee Valley, Australia, on Friday, March 27.

The three-year-old filly, representing John O'Shea, was headed in the closing stages to go down by a long-neck to Pittsburgh Flyer, who was receiving 14lb, in an extended five-furlong Listed race at Flemington on March 14.

She faded to 10th in the Group One William Hill Oakleigh Plate over five and a half furlongs at Caulfield on February 28 but gained a comfortable success in the Group Three Thoroughbred Club Stakes over six furlongs at Caulfield on October 11.

She started this season with two third places in Group Two races at Royal Randwick - the seven-furlong Coolmore Tea Rose Stakes on September 20 and the Coolmore Furious Stakes over six furlongs on September 6.

The daughter of Exceed And Excel readily won the six-furlong Group Two Parramatta Leagues Club Reisling Stakes at Rosehill Gardens in March, 2014, and decisively captured the Group One Sportingbet Blue Diamond Stakes over the same trip at Caulfield the previous month.

Tommy Berry partners Earthquake for the first time.

John O'Shea said: "Earthquake presents into this stakes race with a lovely profile following a good performance at her last start.

"This is not a vintage year for the William Reid Stakes and she drops significantly in weight.

"I think this is an outstanding opportunity to get her back into Group One level. She had a morning at Moonee Valley which should stand her in good stead for this race."

Earthquake, drawn three, meets 13 rivals headed by Oakleigh Plate fourth Vain Queen, Group One Manikato Stakes second Angelic Light, Group One Moir Stakes third Rebel Dane and Group Two runner-up Peron.