Mosman co-owners on cloud nine after Shinzo storms home to win $5 million Golden Slipper.

By ANNA USHER

Local residents Kerry and Jennifer Pooley are still on Cloud Nine after a “thrilling” Golden Slipper victory last weekend.

The part-owners of Shinzo joined Chris Waller to watch a brilliant rail-hugging ride with jockey Ryan Moore in the $5 million Group 1 race at Rosehill.

Shinzo ($16), by Arrowfield’s super sire Snitzel out of Samaready, took 1m 9.65s to complete the 1200 metre course, powering clear of favourite Cylinder ($3.40) to win by one-and-a-quarter lengths with King’s Gambit ($8) storming home for third.

It’s thought the Golden Slipper win elevated the two-year-old colt’s value to a staggering $50 million as a potential stallion prospect.

“We are extremely proud of Shinzo, and it was a thrilling moment to witness him win alongside the other Australian connections,” Mrs Pooley told Mosman Collective.

“He will enjoy a spell now as he’s had two runs during very hot weather but will return even better as a three-year-old.”

Mrs Pooley praised top jockey Ryan Moore, who answered a last-minute call from Coolmore stud and flew in from England to ride Shinzo.

“Ryan Moore is an incredible man and one of the world’s best jockeys,” Mrs Pooley said.

Moore is retained by Coolmore in Europe and has won 168 Group 1 races in 11 countries, including 17 last year, the biggest of which was the Japan Cup on Vela Azul.

He also rode three winners at the Breeders Cup in the US.

“Growing up, the Golden Slipper was always one of the big races that everyone knew worldwide,” Moore said.

“He (Shinzo) is a very talented colt. We were lucky we got a nice draw, I was able to follow Cylinder through, and it all just went beautifully for us.

In a statement, trainer Chris Waller confirmed Shinzo will be taking a well-earned break from racing due to his busy schedule at such a young age.

“Following an amazing weekend with Shinzo headlining a great day of racing at Rosehill, we have decided to spell him,” Waller said.

“It certainly was enticing to run Shinzo in the Sires’, but that would have been his fifth run as a two-year-old in his first racing preparation as well as two runs in eight days during a very hot period.

“This was on the back of a personal best run. He is a horse with plenty of upsides, he is improving with each run, and we expect the same improvement as a three-year-old but the owners and I are in agreeance that it’s in the horse’s best interest to allow him to continue to grow, develop and mature.”

Mrs Pooley told Mosman Collective Shinzo would eventually go to stud at Coolmore and stand alongside champion stallion Home Affairs, which they also part own.

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