Blake Shinn could hardly have scripted a better return to race riding, producing a winner with his very first ride back after an injury-enforced absence.
Returning to Flemington for the first time since his serious fall on Melbourne Cup Day last year, Shinn guided the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Nearco Frod to victory in the TAB We’re On (2500m).
Sent out the $2.50 favourite, Nearco Frod surged clear under Shinn to score by 1¾ lengths over Urban Outlook ($21), with Our Chief ($2.70) finishing third.
“The legs have pulled up a little but sore which is a understandable but it is such a great feeling,” an emotional Shinn said.
“It has been a bit of a journey, but it is nice to be coming home a winner and not in the back of an ambulance.
“To get the support of all the leading trainers and owners and I’ve had to ensure that I’m ready for today with a great team who have helped me in the recovery.
“First ride back a winner so it is special. Hopefully it is the start of a great season.”
Photo taken by Bruno Cannatelli
The five-year-old’s powerful finish over 2500 metres has the McEvoy stable looking towards a possible tilt at the Archer Stakes on September 12.
Shinn also joked that he owed part of the success to Craig Williams.
“I’ll have to thank my great mate Craig Williams for going on holidays,” Shinn said after filling in for the 10-time Melbourne premiership-winning jockey.
“He’s a promising horse and was adaptable on the dry today.”
Nearco Frod has now won three races in succession after recording back-to-back victories at Sandown before Saturday’s Flemington success.
“When he arrived with us he was a young horse,” Calvin McEvoy said.
“We have a nice preparation with him but he has really come on. He had to tick the Good track box as that was the query for me as he’d been winning on heavy nines.
“He was dynamic there on a Good 4.
“To win three in town is a good effort and it is lovely to provide Blake Shinn with his first winner.”
The above article was published by Justhorseracing.com