Four in a row for Shanwah - Brother at Easter

Breednet - Saturday March 22

Another commanding performance in Saturday’s A$500,000 Gr.2 DCE Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) at Moonee Valley has booked rising star three-year-old Shanwah a shot at the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) ahead of his move to Hong Kong.

Shanwah books a shot at the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) ahead of his move to Hong Kong. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli

A $750,000 Karaka yearling purchase by Cameron Cooke Bloodstock on behalf of owners Kevin and Vikki Payne, Shanwah commenced his career as a colt and was a placegetter at Canterbury in the spring. Gelding has proved to be the making of the three-year-old, who has now won four races in succession.

He was a 1600m maiden winner at Mornington on January 22, which he followed up with a win over 1800m on Caulfield’s Heath track on February 10. Shanwah has kept his winning sequence intact since trainer Ciaron Maher stepped him up to stakes class, putting together back-to-back Group Two victories in the Autumn Classic (1800m) and Saturday’s Alister Clark Stakes.

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Sent out as a $2.20 favourite, Shanwah was checked shortly after leaving the starting gates, but soon recovered and moved into a comfortable position in fourth and one off the rail. Jockey Ethan Brown allowed him to stride forward coming down the side of the track, taking command before the home turn.

Shanwah asserted his superiority down the straight, opening up a winning margin of two lengths over fellow New Zealand-bred Imperialist.

“He can measure up, certainly,” Brown said. “The higher the pressure for this horse, the more it will switch him on. When he cruised around them, he was trying, but he had more to give, I feel.

“I thought he was toying with them a bit there. He’s a horse of very high class. He’s a horse that has continued to improve. The 2000m was no worries to him at all.”

Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull revealed after Saturday’s race that Shanwah has been sold to Hong Kong.

“It was a deal that was done privately with Kevin (Payne), but we’ve got him to train for the Derby,” Turnbull said. “I am sure he got a good return, otherwise he wouldn’t have let the horse go.

“Thankfully, the clients that bought into him have allowed us to stay in Australia to run in these two races. But I believe they take over ownership before the Derby, so you might see the horse in different colours next time.

Bred by Trelawney Stud and long-time partner John Struthers, Shanwah is by Too Darn Hot out of the Iffraaj mare Lady Sayyida and is a half-brother to Group Two winner Excelida. A granddaughter of the hugely talented Sayyida, it is also the family of Ocean Park, Grunt and Zaydani.

Shanwah has now won four of his eight starts with a further placing and has amassed A$558,975 to date. – NZ Racing Desk.

The full-brother is set to be offered at Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale by Trelawney Stud as Lot 20.

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Race Result - DCE Alister Clark Stakes Gr2 2040m

Moonee Valley Track: Soft(5) Time: 2:10.65
1
Shanwah
- 3g Too Darn Hot (GB) x Lady Sayyida (NZ) (Iffraaj (GB))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Ethan Brown 57
2
2
Imperialist
- 3g Churchill (IRE) x Dancing Hare (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Jye McNeil 57
Churchill
3
2.1
Statuario
- 3g D'argento (AUS) x Miss Entice (AUS) (Dash For Cash (AUS))
Tnr: E & D Browne Rdr: John Allen 57
4
5.1
Politely Dun
- 3g Dundeel (NZ) x Politeness (AUS) (Street Sense (USA))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: D W Stackhouse 57
5
7.1
Red Aces
- 3c Dundeel (NZ) x Cardiac (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Nick Ryan Rdr: L Currie 57
6
7.3
Rapid Cheval
- 3f Super Seth (AUS) x Vitesse (NZ) (Makfi (GB))
Tnr: S B Laming Rdr: J Mott 56
7
8.6
Emphasize
- 3g Embellish (NZ) x Dancing May (AUS) (Dane Shadow (AUS))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: Craig Williams 57
8
13.8
Opening Address
- 3g So You Think (NZ) x Royal Welcome (GB) (Kingman (GB))
Tnr: Liam Howley Rdr: C Newitt 57
9
14.1
Detroit City
- 3g Toronado (IRE) x Elle Gagne (NZ) (Pour Moi (IRE))
Tnr: Dominic Sutton Rdr: W Egan 57
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