Blake Shinn reunites with Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot
They reached the pinnacle of two-year-old racing together when winning the Golden Slipper last autumn and for the first time since April, Blake Shinn takes the reins of Lady Of Camelot in The Sunlight – Queensland’s new slot race – at Gold Coast on Saturday.
The Sunlight over 1100-metres and worth $3 million is the highlight event on a bolstered card featuring Magic Millions-geared races as a prelude to the rich main day on January 11.
The $2.80 favourite for The Sunlight, Lady Of Camelot has not been missed by punters and on what the filly has shown in the lead-up, rightly so in Shinn’s opinion after winning a barrier trial at Hawkesbury over 800m on December 16.
“I haven’t been aboard since I rode her in the autumn but she had that great trial leading into this week and that all points in the right direction,” Shinn said.
“It was such a great in the Coolmore when she ran third to Miss Switzerland and she’s the class horse in the race.”
With barrier one being a further positive, Lady Of Camelot is yet to notch a Racing And Sports rating below 100 – her peak being 119 when finishing seventh in the Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) behind I Am Me – which is a mark none of her rivals have reached anywhere nearly as consistently.
“It’s great to be back aboard a superstar like her,” he added.
Shinn opened his winning account one win at Flemington on New Year’s Day and heads to Queensland with a lucrative set of rides at the Gold Coast twilight meeting.
Among them who sharpened up for the $1 million The Syndicate (1100m) by winning a 1000m barrier trial at Doomben on December 23 after winning the Listed Bribie Handicap (1000m) at Eagle Farm on December 7.
Shinn finished second aboard the Tony Gollan-trained galloper in the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley in August.
“He’s a consistent sprinter who puts himself right on the speed and he’s a horse I’m excited to be riding.”Moravia is another who looks very well placed and he’s another talented horse.”
More Racing News
Cosmic Crusader set for Victorian debut in Bletchingly Stakes
Trainer Andrea Leek is yet to pinpoint the exact spring campaign for Cosmic Crusader, but she is anticipating his racecourse return this Saturday.The Group 1-winning Western Australian gelding is scheduled to make his Victorian racing debut in the $200,000 Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes, a 1200m contest at Caulfield.This five-year-old entire,...
Randwick trials see Waller's stars return
A significant contingent of Chris Waller's established racehorses, prominently featuring the acclaimed mare Autumn Glow, commenced their spring preparations at Randwick on Monday morning.The initial three trials, all conducted over 900 metres on the Kensington track following a postponement from Friday due to wet conditions, showcased numerous Group 1 winners...
Concord Connie eyes Victorian Group 1 success
Charlotte Littlefield, the Pakenham-based trainer, is opting against chasing substantial prize money in interstate races with Concord Connie, focusing instead on securing a Group 1 win within Victoria.The exciting mare, Concord Connie, has undergone four weeks of preparation and is being readied for her return, with the Group 1 Empire...
Midnight Dynamite's Path to the Big Dance After Rosehill Win
Connections of Midnight Dynamite are keen to see the horse contest a $3 million prize following his commanding performance in the Winter Challenge at Rosehill.Having added Saturday's stakes race to his triumph in last month's Listed Civic Stakes (1400m), the gelding is now slated for the Coffs Harbour Cup (1600m)...
Bold Soul's future may be over jumps after Flemington success
Connections have found Bold Soul, trained by Patrick Payne, to be a good earner on the flat, but his future might be better suited to hurdles.Bold Soul secured the Deane Lester Flemington Cup 1849 (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday, adding to his seven prior wins from 33 starts and boosting...
Sword Of Legacy's determined win follows Band Of Brothers' Ramornie success
Matthew Dunn's stable has enjoyed a prosperous week, capped by Sword Of Legacy's hard-fought victory at Rosehill. This triumph arrived just three days after Band Of Brothers, carrying the same lime, purple, and gold Hesket Thoroughbreds silks of David Moodie, captured the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton.Sword Of Legacy, sent out...
Ko Phangan claims Byerley Handicap at Flemington
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable continues its impressive run in qualifying races for Classic contenders with Ko Phangan's recent victory at Flemington.Ko Phangan's win in the Byerley Handicap (1800m) secures a coveted ballot exemption for either the Victoria Derby (2500m) or the VRC Oaks (2500m) during the Melbourne...
Joint Venture earns carnival ticket with Rosehill triumph
A late-developing two-year-old, Joint Venture, is now in contention for the initial three-year-old feature races after securing a crucial win at Rosehill.The impeccably bred son of I Am Invincible, a $625,000 yearling acquisition for the Newgate stallions syndicate, displayed significant progress from his debut second at Wyong, asserting his class...
Betwitchery ready to extend winning streak first-up
Betwitchery is set to extend her winning sequence as she makes her return to the racetrack at Flemington.The Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained mare is scheduled to begin her new racing campaign in the VRC Member Brendan Sobozynski Plate, a 1200-metre contest, this Saturday.Betwitchery, who has won five...
Littlefield targets Magnolia Cup after Flemington engagements
Trainer Charlotte Littlefield is scheduled to travel back to the UK in approximately a week to participate in a charity race at the renowned Glorious Goodwood Festival.The Magnolia Cup is a distinguished charity event this year supporting Education Above All. It aims to gather funds to ensure access to education,...