John Thompson celebrated his reappointment as head trainer for Patinack Farm when Shamardashing scored a commanding win in the first race at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Ridden by Chris Munce, Shamardashing ($6.50) excelled in the wet conditions to down imported stayer Fruehling ($2.70 fav) by a length in the Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation Handicap (2200m) with Streets Away ($7.50), a further 3-1/4 lengths away third.
Thompson has been training for Patinack Farm for 2-1/2 years and has had his contract extended a further five years by Patinack Farm boss Nathan Tinkler.
Shamardashing will now head to the Group Three Chairman’s Handicap (2000m) at Doomben on May 12 ahead of his main winter mission in the Group Two Brisbane Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 9.
“I’m very happy to have my contract extended with Patinack Farm,” Thompson said.
“This horse did a good job to win as he hasn’t raced for six weeks.
“I put him out in the paddock after he won at Doomben (in March) and he’s thrived.”
Shamardashing’s victory ended a turbulent week for Thompson who sacked his Queensland stable rider Tim Bell for disciplinary reasons.
While the honours were with Shamardashing, Victorian Fruehling was easily the unlucky runner.
The four-year-old missed the start slightly then struck trouble and lost ground before the field had gone out of the straight the first time.
Jockey Daniel Moor told connections to disregard the performance.
“He raced well but didn’t handle the track at all,” Moor said.
“He couldn’t produce the good turn of foot he’s got on the heavy track.
“He didn’t like the going one bit and it was a super run considering.”
Trainer Anthony Freedman is undecided whether Fruehling will continue with his Brisbane winter campaign.
Fruehling was placed at his first three starts in the UK when prepared by Sir Michael Stoute before being purchased by Freedman stable clients headed by John O’Neill and won his only previous two starts in Australia.
“I’m not sure what we’ll do with him but I won’t be running him on a heavy track again,” Freedman said.
“There’s another race for him in two weeks but I might even put him out.”
