Blake Shinn has been booked to ride English in The Everest
Blake Shinn is the first jockey booked to ride in The Everest, just days after his mount’s spot in the $10 million race was confirmed.
The Sydney jockey will take the reins of English at Randwick in October, having already piloted the mare to a win in the Challenge Stakes and second place in the TJ Smith Stakes this autumn.
English was announced as the TAB’s representative for the race earlier this week.
“He’s been English’s regular rider since she was a two-year-old so we’ll stick to a proven formula hopefully,” part-owner John Kelly told Sky Sports Radio.
“He’s got a very good record on her.”
Wet tracks impacted English’s autumn and Newhaven Park is holding out for firmer footing come October 14, Kelly said.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained sprinter is expected to run the Everest third-up after runs in The Shorts and the Premiere Stakes.
“She loves the 1200 metres at Randwick … (but) she’s just never had a crack at a dry track,” Kelly said.
“So it’ll be very interesting to see her when she gets on top of the ground.”
Shinn is set to return to Australia within a fortnight after he finishes up his five-week stint in the United States on July 15.
