Shamus Award has had a personal best season with nine stakes-winners highlighted by three Group I winners and his 80th seasonal winner that scored at Gosford on Thursday was a timely reminder of one of his most successful nicks.
Having his first run for new trainer Rodney Ollerton, three year-old gelding Defiant Heart steamed straight past the short priced favourite Selhurst Park to score a dominant two and a quarter length win in the 1100m maiden.
Placed at two of his previous four starts, Defiant Heart looks to have turned a corner during his recent spell and may yet follow in the footsteps of his full sister Enchanted Heart, who won the Listed Takeover Target Stakes at Gosford last month.
Defiant Heart is the second winner for Shattered Heart, a half-sister by Show a Heart to Group III winner Luke’s Luck from the family of Group I winners Lucia Valentina and Danzdanzdance as well as Group II winner She Will Be Loved.
Show a Heart mares have a sensational record with Shamus Award, the nick producing eight winners from 10 runners highlighted by Group III winner Sovereign Award, stakes-winner Enchanted Heart and stakes-placed Epic Girl.
Shamus Award stands at Rosemont Stud this spring at a fee of $33,000.
