Front-running galloper Shamus indicated he is on track for another bold showing at Ellerslie when winning his trial comfortably at Avondale on Tuesday.
The son of Shamexpress was among the better three-year-old’s of his year winning the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) and placing in the Gr.3 Waikato Guineas (2000m), and went on to place in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m) in the following season.
At the recommendation of his former trainer Allan Sharrock, Shamus joined the Pukekohe stable of Moira and Kieran Murdoch early this year with the appeal of their renowned beach training, and since, the gelding has been back in the winner’s circle on two occasions.
The first of these was in the Waipu Cup (1400m) at Ruakaka, before he defied punters with an impressive all-the-way win over 1400m at Ellerslie on September 21, defeating a quality field of Group-level horses.
Moira Murdoch indicated the six-year-old will return to the Auckland course next Saturday, with Tuesday’s 1000m trial fitting in well prior to his next assignment, the Open 1600m. In the hands of Ace Lawson-Carroll, who partnered the gelding in both of those victories, Shamus went straight to the lead and was never headed, holding a strong gallop to the line under little pressure over Uderzo.
“I was very happy with him, he needed a good hit-out as he will be racing on the 26th back at Ellerslie,” Murdoch said.
“He does all of his work at the beach so he’s ticking over nicely out there.”
During the week, the Murdochs will have five representatives at their local meeting on Wednesday, including Full Noise in the Head To Trackside.co.nz 1200.
The Turn Me Loose four-year-old made a strong account of himself finishing third on three occasions over the winter period at Ruakaka, twice in behind eye-catching local Dan Vegas.
“He’s a nice horse resuming, he’s raced at Ruakaka so he’s still unknown on the softer track, but we’ll soon find out,” Murdoch said.
“He’s fresh-up after a spell, but he’s done plenty of work and we’ve opted to race him over trialling today (Tuesday).”
The likely Heavy surface also poses a question for three-year-old Horrie, who will have his second start in the Dunstan Horsefeeds 1400 under Jasmine Fawcett.
“He got a little bit fazed down on the fence at Ruakaka (on debut), in both of his trials before that he had been off the fence, so he was just a little bit green,” Murdoch said.
"He had a jump-out at Ellerslie and it’s the same for him here conditions-wise, we would’ve preferred a better track, so we’ll see how he goes.”