3 minute read
Showing his staying talent, Shadow Hero surged late to win the 2019 Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.
Shadow Hero had to make a long sustained run and it gave Mark Newnham back to back wins in the race.
Wow! Shadow Hero for @mark_mnracing and @JoshuaParr8 win G1 Spring Champion Stakes @royalrandwick proving his star-stayer status! pic.twitter.com/jSN4RSurh5
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 12, 2019
Winning Trainer: Mark Newnham
On winning the race again: "It was pretty special. Last year we came here as a 10/12-1 chance and you give yourself a chance of winning. Here we were expected to win. I've thought for the last 3 months that this is the race for him. It's just terrific that the plan has come together."
On the run: "Josh had to ride him a little bit closer than we had previously. The way the track was playing and that was the way to do it. From the 300m home he still had a lot of work to do. The leader still had a fair gap on us. He's a real staying talent and that kicked in the last bit."
On the horse: "He's a really clean winded animal. Any time he gallops he hardly blows. Getting to these sort of trips on a big track like Randwick is what we've been waiting for. Just for the whole plan to come together with owners out from Hong Kong, we mapped out the trials and runs."
Onto the Derby: "He's good enough. I've thought it for a long time. I'm no good me backing out now. He's a Warwick Farm horse but the team at both stables deserve credit."
Winning Jockey: Josh Parr
"I am delighted!"
"He (Castelvecchio) had a good crack at me late, but my guy really pinned his ears back and stuck it out for me, he's a classy animal."
"He's been prepared perfectly by Mark Newnham and his team."
"He just ticks every box, he makes my job easy, the whole team have done such a great job with this horse, I'm just delighted."
"In such a short period of time, he's done remarkable things as a trainer, he's such a professional man, it's no fluke that's for sure."
"I've worked with some very good trainers and he's certainly up there."
Beaten Jockeys:
Brenton Avdulla (Castelvecchio): "He did a good job. It was 1400m to 2000m and Richard (Litt) had him fit. He's just missed out today. He is a talented colt."
Tim Clark (Just Thinkin'): "He ran really well. We had nice control, went the speed I wanted to go. He gave a great kick. Just whether he saw the ten furlongs out today is questionable but he has had a great prep."
Nash Rawiller (Quick Thinker): "He took up a nice position and travelled well. He might of just felt the ground a bit. He sort of layed out a little around the home turn and didn't quite let go 100%. He was maybe feeling the ground a fraction but it was an honest effort."
Jason Collett (Rhaegar): "He raced too keen."
Martin Harley (Dummy Run): "He jumped a little bit slow so I took my time on him. The pace was fair and the ground was a bit lively for him as well."
Glen Boss (Sciconic): "He is a nice horse. It's probably all come a bit too soon for him. Look out for him next preparation."
Adam Hyeronimus (Sirmaze): "He is definitely a nice horse and he can definitely stay. These horses are probably a little bit more seasoned than he is at this stage of his career. A couple of them are genuine Group 1 horses. There is no reason why next preparation he can't strenghten up a bit and catch up to them."
Glyn Schofield (Persan): "He just wasn't quite up to them. He presented at the top of the straight and gave me a kick for about a furlong. From then he just couldn't follow the speed."
Rachel King (Battenburg): "I thought I was nearly going to go back to back. He has run a huge race. For a maidener having just his fourth start I couldn't have asked for any more of him."
Robbie Dolan (Rent A Rock): "He tried very hard. He is still very young and immature. He travelled into the race good. They put the speed on at the 600m and got left a little bit flat footed but grinded it out. He's be okay next prep."
