Shamrocker well fancied for double

Punters are confident the Danny O'Brien-trained Shamrocker can become the first filly since Research in 1989 to complete the AJC Australian Derby-Oaks double. The filly won the Derby last weekend and was heavily supported with betting houses yesterday to claim the second leg at Randwick on Saturday. One Sportingbet Australia punter had $50,000 on the three-year-old at $2.90 soon after Shamrocker came up with barrier four in the 17-horse field. ''I thought she looked worth risking at those odds but she is now in to $2.70,'' Sportingbet's chief Michael Sullivan said yesterday. VRC Oaks winner Brazilian Pulse will be launched from barrier one with Craig Williams to ride. ''We have a huge liability on Brazilian Pulse after taking a string of big bets including one of $40,000 at $4.80,'' Sullivan said.

HICKMAN HICCUP

Trainer Greg Hickman is hoping yesterday was the off day. His Vinery Stud Stakes winner Mirjulisa Lass came up with barrier 17 in the Oaks then her jockey Corey Brown nailed Hickman's runner in the third at Canterbury. ''I hope he rides her as good as he did that one for Bart [Cummings],'' Hickman said after Brown, on Pegembak, ran down Hickman's Palasport. ''Everything had been going perfect. She [Mirjulisa Lass] worked beautiful yesterday morning and I couldn't fault anything until the barrier draw.'' Pegembak's dam is closely related to Cummings's group 1 winner Allez Wonder, which sold yesterday for $1 million at the Inglis Australia Broodmare sale.

DRUGS SWOOP

Racing NSW stewards targeted humans instead of horses at Canterbury. ''We did out-of-competition testing on 40 horses at Rosehill yesterday while several jockeys were drug tested today,'' deputy chief steward Greg Rudolph said.

ONE TO WATCH

Manawanui might not be a carnival horse this time round but don't forget the Ron Leemon-trained juvenile's name. The $45,000 yearling purchase was squeezed out at the start but steamed home to score at Canterbury. ''He goes real good, always has,'' Leemon said. ''He might have that X-factor about him.'' Leemon keeps ''half a dozen'' horses in work at Warwick Farm but reckons: ''I've always been lucky, I've always had one that can gallop. It has been a bit dry of late but I've had this one in the stable for six months just waiting. Whether we give him another run or put him out for the spring, we'll discuss when the dust settles.''

RYE SMILES?

It should be an interesting meeting in the ''microwave'' at Randwick this morning. Australian Turf Club track managers will meet trainers in the clockers' hut in the centre of the track. The topic for discussion will be rye grass. Should the evergreen be sewn into the sand-based Randwick course proper? It was several years back and proved disastrous although the track looked a picture through the winter months.

BEST WISHES

Race players are wishing Gosford trainer Neil Ward a speedy recovery. Ward, who won an Epsom Handicap with Riverdale, took ill earlier in the week and remained in North Shore Hospital last night after surgery.