Shamus Award's Irish Songs Breaks the Drought in National Sprint

Mark Smith - Sunday March 13

The well-travelled Irish Songs came with a weaving run under Tommy Berry to earn a maiden stakes success in Sunday's Listed Sears Workwear National Sprint (1400m) and break a 97-week drought.

A last-start second at Flemington, the Kurt Goldman-trained son of Shamus Award overpowered the Magnus gelding Ashman by a half-length with the Zariz gelding Mad As Zariz a further long-neck back in third.

With his first stakes success, Irish Songs advanced his record to six wins, two seconds, and nine thirds from 44 starts with earnings of $552,280.

Goldman paid tribute to Irish Songs part-owner Alan Cardy, the former Wallaby great, who died in December.

"I trained my first stakes-winner here for Alan in the Canberra Cup when I started even years ago, Goldman said.

"So, it is fitting to come here to train what is possibly the last stakes-winner for him.

"He was a great mentor, a friend and a father figure, and he would have loved this.

"Both Irish Songs and I like a trip away. I was pretty confident coming here today. He bounced off that run at Flemington, and that form has stacked up.

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"I thought it was the right form, and it was a masterful ride by Tommy."

Shamus Award

Goldman shelled out $140,000 for Irish Songs from the Attunga Stud draft at the 2017 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale.

He is the first foal and only runner to date out of the talented Johar (USA) mare Lucky Songs.

A half-sister to Group II Wakefield Challenge Stakes winner and Group 1 Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes runner-up Captain Fantastic (Fantastic Light), Lucky Songs was an 8-time winner for John Morrissey in Queensland.

Lucky Songs has a 2yo filly by Oratorio (AUS) and a weanling colt by Universal Ruler.

Irish Songs is the 18th black-type winner for Rosemont Stud's Shamus Award, whose daughter Duais captured the Group 1 Australian Cup at Flemington on Saturday..

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Race Result - Seears W'wear National Sprint LR 1400m

Canberra Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:22.48
1
Irish Songs
- 6g Shamus Award (AUS) x Lucky Songs (NZ) (Johar (USA))
Tnr: Kurt Goldman Rdr: Tommy Berry 54.5
2
0.5
Ashman
- 6g Magnus (AUS) x Ashamika (FR) (Linamix (FR))
Tnr: Ms K Waugh Rdr: J Ford 54.5
3
0.9
Mad As Zariz
- 7g Zariz (AUS) x Golden Freeze (AUS) (Nuclear Freeze (USA))
Tnr: R Weston & J Nisbet Rdr: Ms K Nisbet 54.5
4
1.0
Marnix
- 4g Written Tycoon (AUS) x Dutch Romance (GB) (Dutch Art (GB))
Tnr: Richard Litt Rdr: Rachel King 54.5
5
1.5
From The Bush
- 5g Poet's Voice (GB) x Endaxi (AUS) (Authorized (IRE))
Tnr: Ms G Williams Rdr: G Buckley 54.5
6
1.7
Jailbreak
- 5g Rubick (AUS) x Our Songbird (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Ms G Williams Rdr: Tim Clark 54.5
7
2.0
Chat
- 5g Deep Field (AUS) x Only Words (AUS) (End Sweep (USA))
Tnr: John Thompson Rdr: Brock Ryan 58
8
3.3
Onsettling Down
- 6g Delago Deluxe (AUS) x Kariz (AUS) (Zariz (AUS))
Tnr: M Petrovic Rdr: Ms W Costin 54.5
9
3.6
Meg
- 4m Sebring (AUS) x Martilago (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Matthew Dale Rdr: Amy Mc Lucas 54.5
10
3.8
Aim
- 4g Star Witness (AUS) x Vintage Strike (USA) (Smart Strike (CAN))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: S Clipperton 55.5
11
4.6
Beachbreak
- 5m Sebring (AUS) x Oakleigh Girl (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: Brad Widdup Rdr: W Pike 54.5
11
4.6
Up Trumpz
- 7g Zariz (AUS) x Gee Trump (AUS) (Last Tycoon (IRE))
Tnr: J M Cleary Rdr: A B Collett 54.5
13
12.2
Dream Runner
- 5g Wilful Default (AUS) x Sweet Submission (AUS) (Mr. Henrysee (USA))
Tnr: K R Dryden Rdr: A Layt 54.5
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