There was a positive sense of déjà vu for Ohoka trainer Samantha Wynne at Riccarton on Saturday, when her last-start winners Honor The Name and Shawshank went back-to-back.
The in-form pair recorded strong wins in Rating 75 and Open grade respectively on the final day of Grand National Week, and a three weeks' later, lined up in strong fields on the final weekend of winter.
Shawshank started a $3.40 favourite in the Listen Live On Sport Nation.NZ Open (1600m), on this occasion in the hands of Ace Lawson-Carroll. The seven-year-old went straight to the lead and had Graeme John to his outer turning for home, but after shaking off that rival, he kept kicking and held off Shaking Stevens to win by just shy of a length.
Also in the ownership of the El Roca gelding, Wynne was rapt with the result.
“He’s racing as well as he looked and worked at home, it’s hard to be confident going into races like that because it was a strong field on paper,” she said. “I was really proud of his efforts and he’s really trying hard.”
Wynne welcomed Shawshank into her barn midway through last term, having previously been trained with success by Kevin Myers and before that, co-owner John Bell. Instigated by Bell, the move has proven the right one for Shawshank, who now has recorded seven wins and over $150,000 in stakes earnings.
“John Bell contacted me and asked if I would take him on, so he could have a go with him in the South Island, he thought he would be well placed down here,” Wynne said.
“We took a few starts to work him out, but once we hit the heavy tracks, he seems to be away. Hopefully we can keep the rain around.”
Honor The Name delivered earlier in the day for Wynne, taking out the White Robe Lodge Celebrating 70 Years Rating 75 (1200m). On speed throughout for jockey Samantha Collett, the mare dashed clear in the closing stages to score by 3 ½ lengths to stakes winner Cool Aza Rene.
Another addition to Wynne’s stable last season, the daughter of Brazen Beau has won three from six starts in the South Island in the Pascoe’s Club Med colours.
“I’m really delighted with her, she seems to be training on well and maturing, which is helping her racing manners,” she said.
“She can be quite keen, Hollie (Elliot) has done a great job with her up north to help that situation.
“She’s been enjoying going to the beach for her work also, which seems to be calming her down. Hopefully it’ll be onwards and upwards for her, we just have to take it race by race.”
Pleased with her start to the season, Wynne is looking forward to the spring and hopefully featuring when New Zealand Cup Week highlights the south in November.
“Cup Week is the target, if we can get Shawshank there into a nice race, that would be amazing,” she said. “We’ll just have to see how he goes on top of the ground leading in.
“It’s nice to have the Pegasus (Listed, 1000m) and Stewards (Listed, 1200m) in mind for Honor The Name, she’s definitely on her way there.
“We’re hopeful anyway, we’ll keep the head down working hard and trying to find the next winner. We’ve got some nice ones coming through getting ready for the trials as well.” - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
