2025 Australian Derby next for prolific winner Shanwah

Rising star Shanwah has continued his impressive run of form, securing his fourth consecutive victory with a dominant performance in the Alister Clark Stakes at Moonee Valley. The three-year-old gelding, who has now won four of his eight career starts, is firmly on track for a Sydney campaign, with the Group 1 ATC Australian Derby (2400m) now in his sights.

Trainer Ciaron Maher’s assistant, Jack Turnbull, confirmed that if all goes well, Shanwah will make the trip north.

"If the horse is sound, and we're happy, he can travel up to Sydney and have a crack at the Derby," Turnbull said following the Group 2 success over 2040 metres.

"He stepped a little bit slow and I was a tad worried, but to his credit he gave him a little squeeze and he poked up inside and it then worked out really well.

"Four-in-a-row, it's not easy to do and he's on an upwards trajectory, which is fantastic."

Shanwah’s winning streak began in January when he broke his maiden at Mornington. He then progressed to a Benchmark 64 victory at Caulfield Heath before taking out the Group 2 Autumn Classic (1400m) at Caulfield on February 22.

Regular rider Blake Shinn had guided him in those outings but was unavailable due to commitments in Sydney. That opened the door for Ethan Brown to step in, and he made the most of the opportunity.

"I thought he was toying with them a bit there," Brown said.

"He's a horse of very high class that has continued to improve and the 2000 metres was no worries to him at all."

Shanwah’s performance saw a market shift for the ATC Derby, with bookmakers installing him as a $6 chance. New Zealand Derby winner Willydoit remains the $3.50 favourite.

"He can measure up, certainly," Brown added.

"The higher the pressure for this horse, the more it will switch him on."

Starting as the $2.20 betting favourite, Shanwah secured a two-length victory over the Chris Waller-trained Imperialist ($13), with Statuario ($15) finishing a close third.