Blake Shinn has failed to ride a placegetter in his subdued return to Australian racing after an exceptional stint in the United States.
The best the 29-year-old could do with his six rides on Wednesday at Warwick Farm was to take Pirate Ben to fourth.
It was much different from the highs he experienced on Saturday when he ended a five-week riding stint at Chicago’s Arlington Park.
“It exceeded all expectations, I fulfilled a lifelong dream riding there,” Shinn said.
“It was amazing to ride one winner but walk away with 11, I have to really pinch myself and thank everyone who made it all possible.”
Shinn credits some of his success to being introduced to Jose Corrales, a friend of US trainer Wesley Ward.
Corrales, a former champion jockey in Macau, not only showed the man from country Victoria how to adapt to US racing but also offered him a bed.
“I was very lucky that Wesley (Ward) introduced me to him (because) … he not only taught me the American technique – and I learnt a lot from him – but he’s a terrific man, has a great family and he brought me into his home,” Shinn said.
“After riding every Sunday at Arlington, I’d fly to Washington DC, drive 45 minutes to his house, stay with his family and have a wonderful time.”
Shinn is set to ride at Gosford on Thursday before saddling up at Randwick on Saturday.
