Royal Ascot-winning jockey Craig Newitt was left in no doubt Shamexpress had improved from his Newmarket Handicap victory after riding the England-bound colt in a jump-out on Friday.
Shamexpress sat off the speed before moving up to win the jump-out on the steeplegrass at Flemington, and he will trial again next Friday in a more serious hit-out before heading abroad to contest next month’s King’s Stand Stakes (1000m) at Royal Ascot.
Newitt was riding the colt for the first time since combining with the Danny O’Brien-trained three-year-old to win the Group One Newmarket at his most recent start in March.
“No risk he’s improved,” Newitt said.
“He’s improved physically as well, he’s a lot bigger and stronger.”
Newitt, who won the King’s Stand Stakes in 2007 on star sprinting mare Miss Andretti, said Shamexpress only had a “pretty light trial” but was delighted with the way the colt has come back from his freshen up and believes he’ll be a genuine chance at Royal Ascot.
“I didn’t know what I was going to get this morning because I just had a look at him and he looked pretty big in condition, but Dan just said to give him a soft trial and I didn’t even move on him,” Newitt said.
“I don’t know what was in the trial but he was pretty impressive.”
O’Brien and Newitt are hoping the colt will be allowed to trial down the Flemington straight next week as the King’s Stand is a straight race.
