Dumped as the rider of First Seal, Blake Shinn exacted revenge when he relegated the odds-on favourite to second with an upset Vinery Stud Stakes victory aboard Fenway.
The Group One win was a family affair as Fenway is trained by Shinn’s stepfather and stepbrother in Lee and Shannon Hope.
It was a first major for the training partnership and a sweet victory for Shinn, who was First Seal’s regular rider until her connections replaced him with James McDonald after the filly was narrowly beaten in the Coolmore Classic last start.
Shinn said losing the ride on First Seal was “part and parcel” of racing and gave him an unparalleled chance to give something back to his family.
“This is not about me, it’s about my family. I just wish my stepdad could be here because he deserves to be here,” Shinn said.
“This is what it’s all about, a fairytale come true.
“He (Lee Hope) has been working his whole life for a moment like this and for me to be able to bring it to them means the world to me.”
Shinn celebrated the win with his mother Carol, brother Ryan and stepbrother Shannon while Lee Hope remained at home in Victoria to hold the fort.
Fenway, a Wakeful Stakes placegetter in the spring, will press on to the ATC Australian Oaks in two weeks.
Shinn said the filly relaxed for him in the run, settling just behind the leaders before spearing to the front halfway up the straight.
He could hear another horse giving chase, but said he didn’t know it was First Seal.
“I didn’t, but I could sense a horse coming. I had a feeling it would be her,” Shinn said.
Fenway ($21) held on to win by a short neck over First Seal ($1.80), with Thunder Lady ($51) a length away third.
First Seal’s trainer John Thompson said the filly had her chance and would be better back to a mile.
Her next start will be in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes at Randwick on April 11 when she could clash with Catkins.
McDonald said First Seal tried hard.
“She travelled beautifully and got a lovely run into it,” McDonald said.
“I felt about a furlong from home that I was just going to explode straight past the winner. Probably just suspect at the 2000 metres.”
