Rule Of Law’s win streak came to an end on Saturday, as Shelby Sixtysix proved too good for the race favourite in the Group 3 Maurice McCarten Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens.
The five-year-old gelding was given a terrific ride by jockey Tommy Berry, who put his mount in a great spot from barrier one.
The son of Toronado started a $6 chance with online bookmakers and maintained a good strong run along the fence to defeat Rule Of Law and Gravina by 1.25 lengths.
Trained by Danny Williams, Shelby Sixtysix has now won $430,000 in prizemoney and looks likely to tackle The Galaxy next start.
“The Party Boy” SHELBY SIXTYSIX now a G3 winner, perhaps the most improved horse in Australia or just an elite wet tracker! Either way what a ride we are on with our Shelby. pic.twitter.com/XSfjtUGrkR
— Danny Williams (@GoulburnTrainer) March 12, 2022
“I’m just blown away. I can’t believe it. It’s incredible,” Williams said
“Bloody oath. At this stage we will (go to The Galaxy).
“The horse always comes first and we will see how he comes through it.
“He laid down for two days after the other day and it looked as tough a run today as it was the other day. He was on sheer heart the last bit.”
Shelby Sixtysix has been in a rich vein of form of late, winning two races from his past three starts and running second in the Challenge Stakes last Saturday, splitting Eduardo and Nature Strip.
Tommy Berry says that the horse has shown plenty of ability, so to win a Group 3 with him was a great buzz and well deserved.
“Even when he won his Highway I think he ran the quickest last 600m of the whole day. As we know it was pretty strong racing on that card,” Berry said.
“I can’t really take any credit for that, all credit goes to Danny and his team. Tell me a better looking horse in the yard today? He looked amazing, he felt amazing.”
Shelby Sixtysix is now a $17 chance for The Galaxy, with that market topped by Isotope.
The Galaxy will be run at Rosehill Gardens over 1100m next Saturday, which will be the fifth weekend in a row that the horse will race.
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