With Shaiyhar’s win over a shorter than ideal trip, co-trainer Natalie Young and jockey Blake Shinn both believe that there is a lot more to come from the French import over a further.
The four-year-old notched his first win in Australia in the Henley And Villawood GFA House Plate (2000m) at Flemington at his second start in this country.
After finishing seventh behind Altivo after a mile on May 13, also at Flemington, the gelding this time relished the 2000-metre trip to score a narrow victory over the fast-finishing longshot Wahine Toa ($61) by a half-head margin.
While other staying aims are within sight in the nearer term, a berth in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) is on the agenda for Young and training partner Trent Busuttin.
“A great effort by the horse,” Young said.
“He was way out the back door and came home out wide.
“He’s really a 2800-3000 metre horse.”
Shaiyhar began his career with a fourth placing over 3000-metres in France before a win over 2800-metres at Longchamp, and another over 2900-metres before heading to Australia.
“He’s only rated 80 now so we’ve really got to get him up another win coming into the spring so we can get him into a race like the Caulfield Cup,” Young added.
“We need to try and get that soft win.”
Among those options is the final of the Banjo Patterson Series (2600m) on July 1 – a step up and in the right direction towards those 2023 Caulfield Cup aims, or another race at Flemington in a fortnight over 2000-metres.
Shaiyhar also provided Blake Shinn with a double on the day.
“We know his form overseas is better over 3000-metres and these races in Australia are run a fair bit faster than in Europe,” Shinn said.
“He was out of his comfort zone today so I had to keep him up to the mark.
“Ultimately his best will be over 2400-plus.”
A son of 2012 Epsom Derby winner Camelot, Shaiyhar’s win occurred hours before the running of the 2023 edition of the English classic.
