Shaiyhar sets sights on the Melbourne Cup 2023
Whether it happens this year or the next, co-trainer Natalie Young believes Shaiyhar is capable of taking on the $8.4 million Lexus Melbourne Cup after notching a second victory at Flemington.
Imported from France earlier in 2023 with feature Australian staying even aspirations, the five-year-old gelding won again over the Flemington 2000-metres in the VRC Member Simon Green Plate.
It was a welcome return to the winners’ stall after the gelding finished outside of the placings over 2500-metres at Flemington on June 17.
“He jumped better today and when Blake (Shinn) gave him a dig he got there a lot sooner than I thought he would’, Young said.
“He ran forward in one of horse races in Europe so it worked out perfectly here.”
Before leaving for Australia, Shaiyhar won over 2900-metres at Clairfontaine last October.
Freshness could also be key.
“I think when has got that freshness he’s got that extra kick,” Young added.
Important to his 2023 Melbourne Cup chances will be winning again at Flemington in the Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2500m) on October 7 which earns the winner a golden ticket into Australia’s iconic event for stayers over 3200-metres.
“He can get 3000-metres and I would love to get him into The Bart Cummings and get that ‘Willy Wonka’ ticket and then see him in a Melbourne Cup.
“But whether that is this year or next year, now that he can jump and travel with those blinkers on, it gives us more options and I think he is a Melbourne Cup horse.”
Shaiyhar ($4.60 favourite) won by five lengths over Martial Eagle ($19) with Court Deep ($13) a half-length away in third in a class record time of 2:01.97.
The win was an uplift for Blake Shinn, Melbourne’s premier hockey of last season, after steering First In Line to victory in the race prior after which the horse collapsed and died after the finishing line.
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Mile test for Harry’s Yacht in 2026 Vobis Gold Reef
Will Larkin is confident the timing is right to test Harry’s Yacht over the mile when the gelding contests Saturday’s Vobis Gold Reef at Flemington. The four-year-old has enjoyed a strong preparation to date, registering two wins at benchmark level and adding two placings in Vobis races over 1200 metres. Training in...