Earthquake Out To Be In Arrowfield Sprint Shake-Up

Time/Date - 13.55hrs local time/Saturday, April 11, 2015 Racecourse/Country - Royal Randwick/Australia Surface/Distance - Turf/6f

Earthquake drops back down in class for the six-furlong Group Two Arrowfield 3yo Sprint at Royal Randwick, Australia, on Saturday, April 11.

The Exceed And Excel filly, trained by John O'Shea, ran on strongly after meeting trouble in running to take fifth in the Group One Brown Baldwin William Reid Stakes over the same trip at Moonee Valley, on March 27.

She was beaten a long-neck in an extended five-furlong Listed race at Flemington on March 14, having faded to 10th in the Group One William Hill Oakleigh Plate, also over five and a half furlongs, at Caulfield on February 28.

Earthquake posted a comfortable win in the Group Three Thoroughbred Club Stakes over six furlongs at Caulfield on October 11 and started the 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.

She easily captured the six-furlong Group Two Parramatta Leagues Club Reisling Stakes at Rosehill Gardens in March, 2014, and scored decisively in the Group One Sportingbet Blue Diamond Stakes over the same trip at Caulfield the previous month.

John O'Shea said: "Earthquake has returned from Melbourne to Sydney in stellar order. She did a very sharp piece of work on Wednesday morning and I think she presents into this race with a nice chance.

"She should roll forward from gate eight and get a box-seat. This is a slight drop back in grade considering her last start was in a weight-for-age Group One."

Earthquake, with James McDonald in the saddle, faces 10 rivals headed by Group One Canadian Club Galaxy runner-up Kuro and Group Two winner Rubick.