Washington reaches new Heights in 2017 Shannon Stakes

Tom Walter - Saturday September 23

The Gerald Ryan-trained Washington Heights quashed any doubts about his ability beyond 1400m with a blistering win in the Group II Shannon Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Advertisement
Washington Heights produces an electric turn of foot to win the Shannon Stakes at Rosehill Photo: Steve Hart

Washington Heights ($4.80) was an easing second favourite with bookmakers, having never won past seven furlongs, but Ryan was adamant the distance wouldn't be an issue for the gelding and the Rosehill trainer was proven right in the most emphatic of ways.

Travelling last around the home corner, Washington Heights moved up ominously on the outside of the field and surged to victory, defeating Fred Cowell's Mighty Lucky ($41) by half a length. There was another 2-1/4 lengths back to the third-placed Imposing Lass ($7.50) for Bjorn Baker.

"He's had his issues and there were doubts about him running 1500m but I had no doubts about him," Ryan said.

The win extended Kerrin McEvoy's flawless record on the son of Commands to three wins from three starts.

"He settled a long way off them there today but he picked them up really stylishly," McEvoy said.

"It's nice to be on the back of a horse that has got as many gears as this guy has got."

As the winner of the Shannon Stakes is granted an automatic start in next Saturday's $1 million Group I Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick, Ryan faces a pleasant dilemma with the seven-year-old.

"The plan was to have four runs this preparation and then see, I am not going to make a raceday decision on him," Ryan said.

"I don't want to take him to Melbourne, the tracks are too hard. I just want to stay here and give him a break and get him ready for the autumn or if he does pull up well think about backing him up."

Should Washington Heights take his place in Randwick's feature mile, he will carry a featherweight of 50.5kg.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Promising Winner for Hello Youmzain – Full Sister NZB Ready to Run
Young Cambridge Stud based Hello Youmzain (Fr) added a new stakes -winner to his tally in France over the weekend with two year-old colt Dostoievsky winning the Listed Prix Saraca at Chantilly and on Monday produced a promising maiden winner at Kembla.
Ka Ying Rising Ready to Rumble
Plenty of drama has surrounded Ka Ying Rising ahead of Saturday’s A$20 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick, but trainer David Hayes assures everything is fine with the Kiwi-bred sprinting sensation.
Sires With Winners - Monday October 13
Here is the full list of 23 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Twain wins G3 Sweynesse Stakes
It seemed as though it would be only a matter of time before Twain added a stakes victory to his name and the rising star did just that at Rotorua on Sunday, powering late to take out the Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1215m).
Globe Half-Brother in 2025 NZB Ready to Run Sale
NZB had more than one reason to celebrate the front-running triumph by Globe (NZ) (Charm Spirit) in the A$1m Group One Might And Power Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
One to Watch – Scone
With the Group I MRC Thousand Guineas to be run  this Saturday at Caulfield it only seems fitting that we find a ‘One to Watch’ on Monday, whose dam and grand-dam both won the iconic race for fillies.
Antipodean (NZ) Excels in NZB Ready to Run Sale Championship
After a couple of unlucky runs in big races this season, Antipodean (NZ) (Derryn) turned his fortunes around at Selangor on Sunday with a deserved victory in the RM300,000 NZB Ready to Run Sale Championship (1400m). 
Winning Debut for Expensive Satono Aladdin
Promising colt Yamato Satona made an impressive start to his racing career at Arawa Park on Sunday, kicking off a winning treble for his trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
Interesting set of trials at Rosehill this morning with Golden Rose winner Beiwacht let loose to stretch his legs with a thoroughly impressive well held win, while there were two heats for the 2YO’s featuring a couple of expensive colts by Wootton Bassett (GB) and I Am Invincible.
Kiwi Breeder Celebrating Autumn Boy Guineas Triumph
High class three-year-old Autumn Boy may not have a New Zealand suffix next to his name, but his Kiwi roots run deep.