Melbourne Cup winning jockey Black Shinn has retained the ride on Pornichet when he resumes in the Group 2 $250,000 Warwick Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on August 22.
Blake Shinn and Pornichet will team up again in the Warwick Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Shinn has ridden the Gai Waterhouse trained Pornichet on three occasions for two wins, including his last start spectacular win in the Group 1 $650,000 The Bundaberg Rum Doomben Cup (2000m) at Doomben during the Brisbane Winter Carnival.
Shinn has also been aboard the French import in his two recent Randwick barrier trials which saw him run third over 1200m on July 20 followed by a fourth over 1250m on July 31.
Waterhouse confirmed on twitter Shinn’s booking on Pornichet when he kicks off his Cox Plate campaign in the weight for age Warwick Stakes.
“Pornichet was “fantastic” for Steve O’Halloran, best of the AM. Gr. 2 Warwick Stakes 22nd AUG @blake_shinn to ride,” Waterhouse tweeted.
Waterhouse continues to be impressed with Pornichet on the tracks as he gets near to his return to the racetrack and has mapped out a program heading towards the Group 1 $3m Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 24 and possibly the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 3 as well.
Pornichet worked over 1400m on Thursday with regular trackwork rider Steve O’Halloran and ran the final 200m in the smart time of 11.4s.
Waterhouse was very impressed with the way Pornichet improved so dramatically during the Winter to come out and demoralise the field in the Doomben Cup and she is certain she has found the secret to the European import heading towards the major Spring Carnival races.
“It takes a very special horse to gap a Group One field as Pornichet did on Saturday,” Waterhouse wrote on her website.
“He found the front very early, but was still strong on the line. The turn of foot the entire displayed is a perfect example of what the European bred middle horses need should they be successful in Australia.”
“I have to train speed into the legs of these imports. Pornichet was always a classy middle distance horse in the making, however he needed to learn my way of doing things. He has now clearly acclimatised to the Lady Trainer’s way of doing things and a big spring preparation lay ahead.”
Pornichet is well up in the Cox Plate betting with Ladbrokes.com.au at $15 along with Doncaster Mile winner Kermadec.
English galloper Arod is at the top of the market order with Sydney Autumn Carnival weight for age star Contributer at $10 ahead of Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Criterion at $12 and Godolphin’s English import Hartnell at $14.
