The horse who has finished closer to Winx than any other in the past year is now on target for his own Group One day in the spotlight.
Not long after Winx made light work of the Group One George Main Stakes at Randwick on Saturday, Sons Of John took out the Group Three Bill Ritchie Handicap on his way to the Epsom Handicap in two weeks.
Trained by 29-year-old Jason Attard at Hawkesbury, Sons Of John ran third behind Winx in the 2015 Group One Epsom after running the mare to a head in the Theo Marks Stakes.
Although he has performed well, the Bill Ritchie was his first win since the Hawkesbury Gold Cup in June last year.
“It’s just a great day,” Attard said.
“I think we know a bit more about him now and the plan has alway been to go to the Epsom again.
“He should be nice and fit and ready to go and hopefully Blake wants to ride him again.”
Backed from $9.50 to $6, Sons Of John raced just behind the leaders and put his head out when it counted to beat Torgersen ($12) by a half neck with the favourite Federal ($5) another head third.
Blake Shinn rode Sons Of John for the first time on Saturday and said the gelding was a credit to his young trainer.
“He’s prepared him in great order today he gave me a lovely ride. He’s a good tough one this horse and it’s great to win for these young trainers,” Shinn said.
