Shawshank’s winning streak may have come to an end at Riccarton last Saturday, but he redeemed himself when bouncing back to score a gritty victory at the Christchurch track seven days later in the Vernon Vazey & Truck Parts Open (1400m).
Following a series of disappointing results at the start of his preparation, the son of El Roca started to hit his straps last month when winning back-to-back races over 1400m at Ashburton and Oamaru, before running sixth last week in rating 75 over 1400m.
Despite the result, trainer and part-owner Samantha Wynne had faith in her gelding and stepped him up to open grade on Saturday, albeit in a similar field to last week.
Shawshank pinged out of the gates under jockey Sarah Macnab, who sent her charge straight to the front. Turning for home, Macnab navigated her charge to the better part of the track, and while he still retained the lead, he became a target for Central Districts raiders Wire Rope and Belzoni, with the latter powering home out wide.
The Lisa Latta-trained gelding swept up alongside Shawshank and headed the local hope with 100m to go, but Shawshank rallied again and fought back to win by a short head, with a further 2-3/4 lengths back to Wire Rope in third.
“He was really tough,” Macnab said. “He got headed halfway up the straight and he has kicked back and come back nicely.”
Shawshank’s victory proved popular trackside, with Wynne swamped with congratulations, and the Canterbury horsewoman was rapt to get a victory during the Grand National Festival of Racing.
“He was ready to go and it was a big step up today, so anything he did I was going to be happy, but to do what he did there was just amazing to watch,” she said.
“He definitely needs a horse to knuckle down with, he got a bit lost last week but Ashlee (Strawbridge) rode him great. He showed some grit (today), and he likes a testing track, so that was the key to him, along with the light weight.
“I love this week. I loved it as a jockey, and I am loving it as a trainer.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
