Second Stakes-Winner for Shamexpress

Tara Madgwick - Saturday September 1

The first black-type prize of the Hastings Spring Carnival is heading back to Cambridge after the Tony Pike trained Cyber Attack claimed the Listed El Roca-Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) on Saturday.

Cyber Attack - Trish DunnellThe Shamexpress gelding took consistent form into the three-year-old contest and was one of the favoured candidates although he was expected to play second fiddle to stablemate Stella Noire who was unbeaten in one run as a two-year-old.

Those predictions were tipped upside down as Cyber Attack and rider Vinnie Colgan chased down race favourite Qiji Express early in the run home before holding out the late charge of maiden galloper Cavallo Veloce. Sagunto made good ground to snatch third from Qiji Express with Stella Noire labouring on the slow7 surface to finish near the rear of the ten-horse field.

Colgan was taken with his mount's efforts where he felt the benefit of race fitness played heavily in his favour.

"He stepped okay and there was a fair bit of speed on," he said.

"I tracked Matty Cameron (Qiji Express) all the way and the breaks came our way.

"He's a fit horse as he's had four runs back this winter so I knew he was going to keep going strongly to the line."

Pike also admitted that race fitness played a major role in the victory.

"He was coming in as a fit racehorse with a good barrier draw as well," he said.

"He's very honest, very fit so it was probably no surprise.

Advertisement

"He just loves his work, loves his racing and will continue to improve."

Pike has his eye on the Gr.2 Sacred Falls Hawke's Bay Guineas (1400m) in October as a major target for his charge.

"We will be back here for the Guineas," he said.

"I will see how he pulls up as he has had a few runs in this preparation but the possibility is that he will go straight into the race.

Shamexpress"He's been crying out for 1400m, so I think that won't hold any fears."

Pike was philosophical about the performance of Stella Noire which he put down to the slow track.

"She's been a touch disappointing, but she dipped and dived in the ground a fair bit," he said.

Cyber Attack took his career record to three wins from 7 starts with $65,000 in prizemoney with the victory.  He is the second stakes-winner for Shamexpress and comes from the family of dual Group I winner Humidor.– NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
One to Watch – Echuca
Twin Hills Stud’s Peltzer had an impressive winner at Echuca on Tuesday for his breeder Olly Tait.
Winx to Visit Too Darn Hot
World champion racehorse Winx is set for a new chapter in her stud career this spring with an announcement from her ownership group of Peter Tighe, Debbie Kepitis and Elizabeth Treweeke that Too Darn Hot (GB) is the chosen one.
In-Demand Stallions Feature in NZB Weanling Sale Catalogue
The catalogue for the 2025 NZB National Weanling Sale features the progeny of a broad range of sires, from proven topliners to exciting up-and-comers as well as the brand-new kid on the block, Profondo.
Pencarrow Stud hits a hundred winners in stellar season
Pencarrow Stud has celebrated an outstanding achievement with a century of homebred winners for the season.
Almanzor Colt Wins G2 Italian Derby
Wootton Bassett sired the winner of the Group I Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) on Sunday in Camille Pissarro and then overnight his champion Cambridge Stud based son Almanzor (Fr) produced the winner of the Group II Derby Italiano (2200m).
Impressive First Winner for St Marks Basilica
Coolmore shuttler St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) was the 2021 European Horse of the Year and the son of Siyouni is on the board as a sire with his first winner after Rogue Supremacy scored an impressive debut victory.
G3 Fred Best Showdown for Quality Colts – Rosemont vs Yulong
The rescheduled $300,000 Group III BRC Fred Best Classic (1350m) brings stakes racing to a Wednesday this week with a field of 17 to go around at Doomben and at the head of the market is a pair of quality colts.
$850,000 Extreme Choice Colt Equals MM National Yearling Record
A stunning colt by Extreme Choice equalled the all time record price at the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast today when he sold for $850,000.
Sires With Winners - Monday June 2
Here is the full list of 40 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Brave Blood
With the Group I Queensland Oaks and Derby to both be run at Eagle Farm this Saturday, after appalling weather forced racing to be abandoned last week, there is no chance this year of one horse winning both, but a filly that achieved the feat in 1988 is playing a key role in this year’s carnival.