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Shinn Takes Cup Ride On Big Duke

3 minute read

Blake Shinn will be a new rider for tough stayer Big Duke in Saturday's $200,000 Tattersall's Cup at Eagle Farm.

The seven-year-old, topweight with 60kg, showed a return to form with a strong finishing third to stablemate Sixties Groove in the G2 Brisbane Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 8.

Big Duke
Big Duke  Picture: Racing and Sports

"Getting on the bigger track at Eagle Farm last time was instrumental in his improved showing, and he has earned his 60kg," said trainer Kris Lees.

Big Duke won't be bothered by the 3000m as he was placed in the 2017 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick and later that year ran fourth to Rekindling in the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.

Stablemate Doukhan was also an entry for the Tatts Cup but will be kept for the Stayers' Cup (3200m) at Rosehill on Saturday week.

Lees intends accepting in the morning with Tactical Advantage for the G3 Healy Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm but won't confirm a start until he sees the barrier draw.

Tactical Advantage
Tactical Advantage Picture: (Mark Evans/Getty Images

"He needs to draw a decent gate to run," he said.

Tactical Advantage, the 59kg joint topweight with recent impressive Eagle Farm winner Victorem, drew poorly when fifth to that horse in the Listed Hinkler Handicap (1200m) on June 8.

He had no luck at all in the run and finished just over two lengths from Victorem.

Take It Intern will run in the Open Handicap over 1820m at Eagle Farm but stablemate Mongolian Wolf will be an absentee from both that meeting and the Benchmark 78 Handicap (2000m) at Randwick where he was given 62kg topweight.


Racing and Sports

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