3 minute read

A look at some of the minor races on Memsie Stakes Day at Caulfield.

Brisbane raiders to the fore again 

The Brisbane stable of Steven O’Dea and Matthew Hoysted has continued their good run of fortune with Shooting For Gold successful in the Group 3 McCafe 1100 Stakes (1100m). 

But the team had to survive a protest from the runner-up Generation before being awarded the race. 

O'Dea and Hoysted have campaigned a small team of horses in Melbourne over the past month with Shooting For Gold following on from the win of Uncommon James at Caulfield a fortnight ago while there had also been placings from Scallopini along the way. 

Hoysted said Shooting For Gold needed pace in his races which was supplied on Saturday through In The Boat and Generation leading the charge. 

"You obviously saw him in the Aurie's Star Handicap up the straight (at Flemington) when they went pretty steady and he over-raced with no cover," Hoysted said. 

"It mapped perfectly from a good alley today with a good, strong tempo. 

"It was good to see him relax as well, and he did and show that good turn of foot that he's always had." 

Hoysted said the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) back at Flemington on September 10 was likely to be next stop for Shooting For Gold. 

Import finally on the board 

European import Emissary broke through for his maiden Australian victory when he took out the Listed Heatherlie Stakes (1700m). 

Emissary was purchased along with English King and Keats in late 2020 and became the first of the trio to finally get on the scoreboard. 

Trainer Mike Moroney said he expects Emissary to improve this campaign after showing glimpses of form last time in. 

"We bought a couple of horses out of the English Derby, and he was one of them and he's really gone on with it," Moroney said. 

"I think you'll see him at his best this season now. We gelded him straight away when we brought him across and I think that's been a big help. 

"He's a really nice horse and he's going to be a lightweight chance in some of these Cups I would think. 

"We sort of threw him in the deep end a bit in the autumn because we thought he was good enough and now he comes to handicaps, he's going to be nicely in I would think." 

Moroney said the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield next month was the logical next option for the gelding as it also carries a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Caulfield Cup in October. 

Shinn beneficiary of Egan misfortune 

A fall at the Pakenham Synthetic meeting on Friday cost jockey Billy Egan an early Caulfield winner when Spanish Tides took out the Neds Punters Toolbox Handicap (2000m). 

Blake Shinn picked up the ride on the Luke Oliver-trained galloper, guiding the mare to a length win from Storm King. 

Egan is set to undergo surgery on his left arm after initially being cleared of fractures. 

"We must spare a thought for Billy Egan," Shinn said. 

"I've picked up a couple of rides this week due to Billy's misfortune. He's done a lot of work on this horse here today and it's unfortunate for him but fortunately for me I've picked up a lovely ride and she did a great job. It was a great victory." 

Shinn recently returned from Hong Kong, via Singapore, and needs to adapt to the different riding style in Melbourne regarding whip rules having been suspended at Sandown on Wednesday. 

A former leading apprentice in Melbourne before moving to Sydney in the 2000's, Shinn has had a long association with Oliver, going back to his apprentice days. 

Oliver was absent from Saturday's program as he was getting married. 

"It's great for him, it's his wedding today so I'm sure they'll be celebrating hard and it's a great celebration, combined with his wedding, to get this victory here today," Shinn said. 

Shinn doubles up 

Blake Shinn had a little more intelligence than his rivals on imported galloper Munhamek who scored an Australian debut win in Evergreen Turf Handicap (1400m). 

After four starts in the UK, Munhamek made his way to Hong Kong where he was successful on three occasions from 30 starts, twice with Shinn aboard. 

Munhamek, now prepared by Nick Ryan after racing as Hall Of Champ in Hong Kong under the guidance of Caspar Fownes, was backed from $10 into $6 before scoring by a long neck from an unlucky El Rocko. 

Shinn said Munhamek was still the same horse he remembered from Hong Kong. 

"He's a lovely horse, very genuine, great character about him," Shinn said. 

"The horses, when they're well-cared-for, as he was with Caspar Fownes in Hong Kong, and not overtaxed, it's nice to see them come back to Australian soil and reproduce that form, because it can give a horse that has reached his mark in Hong Kong another life, so to speak, here in Australia." 

 Quote Of The Day 

"I do have the privilege of riding her every morning, she is one of my favourites, and her work has been incredible." - Emma Addison, the assistant-trainer for Luke Oliver who prepared Spanish Tides to win the Neds Punters Toolbox Handicap.