BLAKE Shinn, at only 19, has been given a stormy baptism as the gun jockey for the Gai Waterhouse stable at Rosehill Gardens today, with his first two mounts the controversial Pulsator and Kingda Ka, Despite his youth, Shinn has built up a reputation in Melbourne as a highly talented and aggressive youngster, regarded as a times in the past year and missing 106 days last season.
However, his Melbourne popularity is emphasised by the statistic that he still had 385 rides in town, with only Craig Williams (406) having more. Making his Rosehill debut on Pulsator, Shinn takes Hawkesbury 1000 metres on April 9.
The inquiry is still open, with three aspects of Parr's navigation on the gelding under investigation. Pulsator, which looked a budding top-liner as a two-year-old, has been beaten four times as a short-priced favourite. The Hawkesbury race in which he began slowly was his first for more than a year, thus there was a fitness query.
ground, a point favouring major rivals Adriatic Ocean, which has won on slow and heavy tracks, and Toldyas, successful on slow ground.
Yesterday the Rosehill circuit, where the rail is six metres out, was described as a slow seven, but the weather today will be a vital contributor to the final condition.
Kingda Ka, one of the strong fancies in the Crowne Plaza Terrigal Handicap, was an eye-catching second over 1200m at Gosford on April 12.
Kingda Ka, with Melbourne import Nash Rawiller, who has made made the right waves for Waterhouse, in the saddle, came out of the gates in a tardy fashion, and went down by less than a half-length at his debut.
Unlike most of the Waterhouse two-year-olds, Kingda Ka wasn't of the race today will be testing for Shinn.
Richaz, though, from Tuncurry, promises to prove worthwhile Boot, 1100m, on April 1 in the heavy.
VERDICT: Toldyas, despite coming back in distance, could prove too strong for Pulsator, while Richaz is preferred to Kingda Ka only because of the start factor.
Wines Class 3 at Rosehill. New Zealand-bred Prince Of Truth was resuming from a spell.
The gelding needs longer so the 1500m today should suit.
However, Prince Of Truth has a demanding task in a race of many chances. The promising Groundwork has been scratched, while Lasker, bristling with raw talent equalised with erratic manners, has for the first time, a lugging bit will go back on with a norton bit off but he will also have a tongue-tie and winkers.
Hopefully, this Yasumori over the Randwick 1600m on April 7.
VERDICT: Lasker from Escudero and Prince Of Truth.
HOT BYRNE: Westicaro, in the Queensland Day Plate, heads had been showers.
circuit when he downed He's No Pie Eater last June. More recently ridden by Damien Oliver, Westicaro was only fourth to Danleigh fitter.
come against him.
The local filly Lasoron should be considered. Lasoron was a 3.5-length sixth to Reigning To Win in the TJ Smith, 1600m, at Eagle Farm last June but was wide throughout and meets Reigning To Win on 2.
5kg better terms here. Also, her recent Brisbane form is strong.
VERDICT: Lasoron, with Jim Byrne up, for the locals.
ACTION HERO: Maybe the Waterhouse speedster Dance Hero, a major contender for the Sir Byrne Hart Stakes today, has scored best.
For instance, in winning the Salinger last November he accounted for Shadoways, Miss Andretti and Natural Destiny down the straight Flemington 1200m. Subsequently, he was beaten in the Newmarket at Caulfield, ended up with the thumps, and then was fourth, after jockey Hugh Bowman lost his whip, to stablemate Bentley Biscuit in the TJ Smith over 1200m on the Randwick heavy on April 7.
Dance Hero likes to be on top of the ground, acts on dead but worse doesn't suit him. Last time out he beat home Spark Of Life, which he clashes with again. Spark Of Life went too fast too early the wet conditions than Dance Hero.
Another Waterhouse sprinter, Posadas, King Rex and Smart Maxie in a 1200m Randwick dash on April 11.
VERDICT: Dance Hero to triumph.
Keywords: Kingda Ka, Dance Hero, Of Truth, Prince Of, Prince Of Truth, To Win, Of Life, Tj Smith, Reigning To Win, Spark Of
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