Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Blake Shinn could hardly have wished for a better start to the resumption of his career in Australia. The 35-year-old, who in April this year announced that after three years riding in Hong Kong, he would not reapply for a licence for the 2022/23 season, has notched 15 wins (including two Listed and two Group 3 triumphs), a Saturday treble, and was runner-up in the G1 Caulfield Guineas.
Perhaps the only thing missing is a victory at the top level.
Shinn is confident his first Australian Group 1 triumph since the 2019 Canterbury S. aboard Trapeze Artist is just around the corner, and why shouldn’t he, he’s fit, in form and getting great support from leading owners and trainers. Most importantly, Shinn is happy and has a positive mindset, something he didn’t always have while in Hong Kong due to the COVID restrictions.
“If I can win a big race over the carnival, it would be awesome. It’s great to be home, surrounded by family and friends, riding in these big races and in front of crowds,” Shinn told TDN AusNZ.
“If I can win a big race over the carnival, it would be awesome. It’s great to be home, surrounded by family and friends, riding in these big races and in front of crowds.” - Blake Shinn
“I’ve run second in the Guineas and already had some immediate success.
“The support has been super and I’m really happy with how everything has come together at the start. I’ve had some nice opportunities and it’s just flowed from there.
“It’s going to happen sooner rather than later; I’m not putting any pressure on myself.
“My main job is to make sure I’m turning up in the best shape I can be and doing all of the one-percenters. The rest will take care of itself.”
Perhaps Melbourne Cup hero Vow And Declare (Declaration Of War {USA}), who he partners in the $5 million Caulfield Cup on Saturday, will see Shinn add to his Group 1 tally, which includes the 2021 Hong Kong Sprint, 2016 Golden Slipper and 2008 Melbourne Cup.
Vow And Declare (orange and white cap) | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Shinn is yet to ride the in-form 7-year-old, who ran second in the race in 2019, before winning over the two miles at Flemington a little over a fortnight later.
“I went to Geelong and galloped him on Tuesday. It was good to have a sit on him,” said Shinn.
“His runs this prep have been really, really good and he gets in with a good weight (54kg).
“He’s run second the year before.
“The barrier (17, 15 if the emergencies don’t start) isn’t ideal and who knows if he likes real heavy tracks, but he’s got a sense of timing about him this year and his form is really good, so I’m happy to have the ride on him.”
“The barrier (17, 15 if the emergencies don’t start) isn’t ideal and who knows if he (Vow And Declare) likes real heavy tracks, but he’s got a sense of timing about him this year and his form is really good, so I’m happy to have the ride on him.” - Blake Shinn
Foxy Cleopatra (American Pharoah {USA}) won’t get the chance to win a Group 1 on Saturday, but Shinn is eyeing up a feature-staying-race with the talented 3-year-old filly.
Fresh from a 1600-metre maiden victory, Foxy Cleopatra steps up to 2000 metres in the Ethereal S. at Caulfield this weekend.
“I think Foxy Cleopatra heading towards the (G1 VRC) Oaks is a lovely filly moving forward. She’s got Oaks stamped all over her and she’s been set for it,” Shinn explained.
Foxy Cleopatra | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“I think she can run very well on Saturday if she has any luck from the draw (barrier 14).”
The filly, who is out of a sister to Foxwedge, is trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young. Shinn has developed a fruitful working relationship with the Cranbourne-based training couple and they have combined for three wins this season.
A super Saturday
Three of Shinn’s 15 wins this season occurred at Caulfield last Saturday, with King’s Gambit (I Am Invincible) landing the Listed Debutant S., English Riviera (Deep Field) taking out the G3 Thoroughbred Club S. and Gravina (Sebring) claiming the Caulfield Village S.
Later that day, the 35-year-old finished a close second aboard Elliptical (Dundeel {NZ}) in the G1 Caulfield Guineas.
Shinn said it was a day to remember, one that will do his chances of picking up some top rides during the remainder of the spring no harm.
“It was a terrific day, a super day,” Shinn described.
“Hopefully, that day will prove pivotal for my spring and set me up nicely.
“Hopefully, that day will prove pivotal for my spring and set me up nicely.” - Blake Shinn
“The 2-year-old (King’s Gambit); he was brilliant. He ran time and he could be a Blue Diamond and Golden Slipper style of horse. He’s quite advanced for a 2-year-old and he’s just a sharp colt; he seems a bit ahead of the pack at the moment.
“If he keeps developing, he’s going to be a real force in anything he runs in.
“It was terrific to win on him for some really good connections.
“It really was a great day and hopefully there’s a few more like that in the spring for me.”
King’s Gambit | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Four hours after King’s Gambit’s romp, Shinn came within 0.2l of winning the Caulfield Guineas aboard Elliptical.
Shinn will head to Sydney on Saturday week to partner the talented colt in the G1 Spring Champion S. at Randwick.
“What he’s doing now is really on natural ability,” Shinn remarked.
“He’s an exciting horse that’s bred to get over a bit of ground.
“He’s (King's Gambit) an exciting horse that’s bred to get over a bit of ground.” - Blake Shinn
“We go to the Spring Champion Stakes and I think that’s a great race for him; 2000 metres at Randwick. He’s a colt, so if he can win that, he’s going to be a valuable horse at stud.”
Coming home
Hong Kong’s loss is Australia’s gain and had it not been for the COVID-19 pandemic, Shinn has no doubt he would still be plying his trade in the Asian racing mecca.
The 35-year-old cited the difficulties and mental toll of living under the strict COVID-19 rules imposed by both the government and the Hong Kong Jockey Club as the primary reason for making the call to return.
Blake Shinn (centre) and the connections of English Riviera | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Usually, a vibrant and busy city, Hong Kong became a place of lockdowns and isolation. Jockeys were often confined to their apartments and unable to interact with people from outside their households. Loneliness and boredom became a major issue for many.
In March, Shinn’s countryman Daniel Moor cut short his six-month contract with the Jockey Club due to his family not being able to head over to live with him, while just last week, four-time premiership-winning jockey Joao Moreira headed back to his family in Brazil after admitting to mental health struggles.
“It wasn’t an easy decision to leave, especially because I had worked so hard to get to where I did,” Shinn explained.
“It wasn’t an easy decision to leave (Hong Kong), especially because I had worked so hard to get to where I did.” - Blake Shinn
“I did it from a mental approach and I’m comfortable with the decision I made.
“With the restrictions in Hong Kong and people not being able to fly, I didn’t get the chance to see my family.
“The last 12 months were really difficult.
“I didn’t want to put any extra pressure on myself. I just wanted to come home, relax, enjoy riding again and enjoy being around my family and close friends.
“I didn’t want to put any extra pressure on myself. I just wanted to come home, relax, enjoy riding again and enjoy being around my family and close friends.” - Blake Shinn
“It’s been really good being home, but the door’s always open to go back.”
Shinn said the decision to live in Melbourne over Sydney was a relatively easy one.
“With them (family) being based in Victoria and with Melbourne having the spring carnival, I just thought it was a logical decision,” he said.
“I’ve got no regrets.
“I love Hong Kong and have great friends over there, but the living conditions, in order to keep the racing going, made it tough.
“Having no lockdowns, no restrictions here in Melbourne… it’s the way life should be, really.”
