Shanwah opens account at Mornington

The Brisbane Winter Carnival could be on the cards for Shanwah after the Ciaron Maher-trained gelding broke through for his maiden victory at Mornington.

Having his fifth race start on Wednesday, Shanwah took out the Sportsbet Racing Form Plate (1600m) at his second start from a spell.

Originally prepared by Maher in Sydney, Shanwah has been based at Cranbourne for his current campaign where assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said the work had been poured into the gelding.

Ridden by Blake Shinn, Shanwah ($4.40) scored by 1-¼ lengths from the $1.50 favourite Belle Detelle with Ongatiti ($15) a further 3-¼ lengths away third.

“He was an expensive yearling, he’s bred to stay and that was only a maiden, but we can build his profile and probably step up in trip, and long term, I’d say Brisbane will be his go,” Turnbull said.

“He’s been a slow burn, but he hasn’t known what to do for a long time. He had the potential, but he’s been a work in progress.

“He’s been in Sydney, Bong Bong, down to Cranbourne, where we got stuck into him.

“He had a good few jump outs and he’s really acclimatised since he’s been down here and it looks like we’ve got a nice racehorse on our hands, especially for Kevin (Payne).

“He’s a really good supporter of ours. He’s got Estriella and he has a good few young horses coming through and hopefully this one can go on with it.”

Turnbull said he did not know of the immediate program for Shanwah after Wednesday’s victory, but a rise in trip was possibly on the cards.

“If there’s a little sneaky 1800-metre race at Sandown or Caulfield coming up, you’d think naturally that would be a nice progression,” Turnbull said.

Shinn was impressed with Shanwah’s victory, especially with the way the gelding quickened when he asked for an effort.

“He’s a little bit quirky and he’s still a work in progress, but the more racing he has, the better he’s going to get,” Shinn said.

“I love the way when I peeled him out, he actually quickened really sharply, and his sections would have been sharp from that point of view.

“There’s a bit more upside and he’ll run further.”