King Kong: Shinn primed for battle with Purton and Moreira

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This was published 4 years ago

King Kong: Shinn primed for battle with Purton and Moreira

By Adam Pengilly

A steely Blake Shinn said he was ready to throw down the gauntlet to Hong Kong superstars Zac Purton and Joao Moreira in the Asian racing mecca after farewelling Sydney a winner on a horse he tagged as a future star.

Shinn, who will take up a six-month contract with the Hong Kong Jockey Club when their new season begins in September, leaves Australia on a high after long coveting a decent crack on the international stage.

He will fly headfirst into a challenge with Hong Kong record-breakers Purton and Moreira, who have had a stranglehold on the riding ranks in the world's most intense racing jurisdiction for years.

Going away present: Blake Shinn sools  Haut Brion Her to the line.

Going away present: Blake Shinn sools Haut Brion Her to the line. Credit: AAP

Purton finished the recently completed Hong Kong season with 168 winners, just two shy of Moreira's all-time record.

Shinn only added to the misery of favourite backers when he stalked hotpot Sir Elton, which was the subject of a $20,000 bet with the TAB, on Chris Waller's Haut Brion Her to rack up his 36th city winner for the season despite spending half the term on the sidelines with a broken neck.

It was only slightly soured when he was handed a five-meeting ban for causing interference to Bye See aboard Velocita a race later.

Asked about his imminent exit to Hong Kong, Shinn said: "It will be one of the hardest challenges of my career, going to a foreign country and learning all about the different horses and jockeys, not knowing the system and riding against a couple of the world's best in Joao Moreira and Purton. But I think I'm ready for it.

He knows where home is. He won't go forever and he'll come back. He's going great.

Chris Waller on Blake Shinn

"I'm ready to take this challenge and hopefully it can evolve me into a world-class rider. It's something I've always wanted to. I'm riding against the likes of [Hugh] Bowman and some of the greats here, but you want to put yourself on the world stage and be recognised as a world-class rider. Hopefully I can do that."

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Shinn will spend some "quality time" with his family before flying out in early August.

"I'm going there on my own, which might be a bit tough leaving all my friends and family, but I'm sure I'll cope."

Shinn's tactical nous came to the fore again when he allowed Haut Brion Her ($3.40) to slide up to the girth of the previously unbeaten Sir Elton, which was the subject of an avalanche of money and sent out a $1.65 favourite.

But Haut Brion Her quickly had Sir Elton's measure up the rise and cruised to a 2½ length win in class record time, with Misteed ($10) grabbing second from Sir Elton, which will now be spelled.

"He's a Melbourne Cup-winning jockey and it's been a pleasure to work with him over the years. It's sad to see him going, but it's for the better of him," Waller said of Shinn. "He knows where home is. He won't go forever and he'll come back. He's going great."

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Waller will take baby steps with Haut Brion Her, a Three Bridges product which has won both starts this preparation.

"She's a well-bred horse, and those horses if they show that ability and you give them a bit of time they can really jump out of the ground," Waller said. "The leader was the favourite and a very talented horse, and we knew we had to make him work to get the better of him.

"It's a good time of year for these types of horses, and I think she will measure up in some better races in the spring. She's got a lot of ability."

Sir Elton's rider Hugh Bowman could find no excuses for his horse, which was having his fourth start of his maiden campaign.

"I think he was beaten fair and square," he said. "I wasn’t too disappointed with him. He might have just had enough. He’s been up a while and I look forward to the future with him."

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