Shamardashing is Cup bound

PATINACK Farm trainer John Thompson won’t mind if Queensland continues to experience a wet winter carnival after Shamardashing posted another strong performance in heavy conditions at the Gold Coast this afternoon.
A Doomben winner in heavy conditions at his previous outing, Shamardashing revelled in the soft ground again to score a comfortable win in today’s Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation Open Hcp (2200m).
Ridden by Chris Munce, Shamardashing ($6.50) outgunned Victorian visitor Fruehling ($2.70 fav) in the run to the line to score by a length with 3-1/4 lengths to Streets Away ($7.50) in third.
“He’s in good form and he is loving these wet tracks,’’ said Thompson. “I wouldn’t mind if it stays wet over the carnival as far as this horse is concerned.
“The runner-up looks a nice horse in the making, too.’’
Shamardashing has now won seven of his 27 starts and has four wins from seven starts on wet tracks.
Thompson said Shamardashing would now progress towards the Group 2 $300,000 Brisbane Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 9.
He is likely to have his next run in the $125,000 Premier’s Cup (2200m) at Doomben on May 26.
Shamardashing, a $220,000 graduate of the 2008 Inglis sale, is out of the former top West Australian mare Beaux Art, winner of nine races and third to Doriemus in the 1996 Caulfield Cup.
Shamardashing kicked off a spectacular 90 minutes for the Patinack team at the Gold Coast today as they backed up to win the first three races.
Boys On Tour ($4.60 fav) drew away for a four-length win in the Green Guide Class 6 Hcp (1400m) then Hours Of Peril ($31) stormed home from near last to win first-up in the Surfers Paradise RSL Benchmark 90 Hcp (1200m).
"Hour Of Peril's a horse who's always shown promise but he's surprised me a bit first-up today as I honestly thought he was a run short,'' said Thompson. 
Story: Neil Archer
Photo: Trackside Photography Pty Ltd