Blake Shinn is on a mission to give a Australian trained horse its first victory at Hong Kong’s biggest meeting of the year since Falvelon’s success in the 2001 Hong Kong Sprint (1000m).
The leading Victorian hoop will fly back into Hong Kong on the eve of the Longines Hong Kong International Races for important rides at Sha Tin in two of the four Group One features on Sunday, December 8.
Well known to Hong Kong racegoers, Shinn is confident that Antino (NZ) (Redwood) is a genuine chance in the Gr.1 Longines Hong Kong Mile (1600m) for trainer Tony Gollan, while he will also be reunited with David Hall, who saddles Invincible Sage in the Longines Hong Kong Sprint.
Both Antino and Invincible Sage are already winners at the elite level, with Antino fresh from a six-and-a-half-length victory two starts back in the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield.
In his most recent start when Shinn was suspended, the six-year-old gelding was partnered by Mark Zahra to a narrow second placing in the Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) behind Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) at Flemington.
“I am very excited, especially to be going over there on an Australian horse representing Australia,” said Shinn, who was lauded for his Toorak ride on Antino when, after settling last, he made his move at the 700m and hit the lead at the home turn before running away to a devastating victory.
“It’s been a race on the forefront of the connections’ minds and to be going over there with him and the form he is in, I’m sure he is going to do everyone proud.
Shinn said Antino was absolutely brilliant when he won the Toorak and is hopeful he can emulate that run, while he hasn’t discounted the chances of Invincible Sage who he describes as a quality sprinter on his day who will be lining up for his fourth run this campaign.
Winner of the Gr.1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin in April, the gelding finished five lengths behind David Hayes’ sprinter Ka Ying Rising in the Gr.2 Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) at his most recent start at Sha Tin on November 17.
Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) broke the track record that day as he further enhanced his claim as the world’s best sprinter and Shinn described him as phenomenal and the most exciting sprinter in the world at the moment.
While mindful that the Hayes-trained horse is the one to beat, Shinn said Invincible Sage’s most recent run indicated to him that the gelding is now hitting peak form.
“Fourth-up now into the sprint, hopefully he can run a career best. I would say the favourite (Ka Ying Rising) will be hard to beat but hopefully we can get some prizemoney,” he said.
“It’s also great to be riding for David Hall, who supported me a lot when I was there.”
After a successful riding stint in Hong Kong, Shinn announced in early 2022 he would not renew his licence and planned to return to Melbourne where his family is based.
Shinn will be kept busy on the day with rides on the undercard for Jamie Richards, Douglas Whyte, Caspar Fownes and Mark Newnham.
“For them to show their support and give me rides, it means a lot,” he said. “I’m grateful to all those trainers.”
