Bookmakers were left reeling after Shafeeq landed a long-price betting move at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
When on-course betting opened, Shafeeq drifted from $15 to $16 before his price shortened dramatically to $7 within minutes when bookmakers were rushed by punters.
In-form apprentice Kirk Matheson produced a faultless riding display aboard Shafeeq who wore down the leader Carry To Fortune and then withstood a late challenge from Sydney sprinter Latin News to win by 1-1/4 lengths.
Trainer Desleigh Forster nominated Shafeeq for a restricted-class race on the program before electing to start the gelding against open company sprinters.
“He’s only a midget and with Kirk’s claim he was only going to carry 51 kilograms in this race which looked ideal for him,” Forster said.
“If I had run him in the other race he would have got a lot more weight. I started him once with 59 kilograms and his run was pretty ordinary.
“I think the key with him is to get him into these types of races where he doesn’t have to carry a lot of weight and Kirk rode him a treat.
“He’s done a terrific job for us this campaign and he’ll go to the paddock for a bit of a holiday.”
Matheson said he was always confident when Shafeeq was travelling kindly behind Carry To Fortune who set a solid tempo.
By contrast, Jeff Lloyd said the favourite Latin News ($1.90) struggled to keep in touch with his rivals at his first start from a spell.
“They were just too quick for him but he was doing his best work late,” Lloyd said.
“He was off the bridle from the time he left the barriers and it took him a couple of furlongs for him to get into stride. He’s looking for 1200 metres now.”
