A winning double may have been the highlight on paper for popular jockey Chris Symons at Flemington but the success could have greater repercussions for his spring aspirations. Symons piloted returning Saab Hasan stayer Shoreham to victory in the Listed Sofitel (1400m) after winning the opening event, the Domain 1100, on improving John McArdle-trained filly Miracle To Me.
It was the win of untapped four-year-old Shoreham, a horse nominated for both the BMW Caulfield Cup and Emirates Melbourne Cup, that had both Symons and Hasan bullish about what the future could hold.
A thrilled Hasan admitted Shoreham’s trackwork during the week had give him confidence that he could be competitive against horses better suited to the seven furlongs.
A winner of the Listed Galilee Series Final (2500m) prior to a third placing in the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m), the young trainer also praised Symons for sticking with Shoreham for his spring preparation.
“We were very confident coming into the race and on Tuesday morning his work was sensational,” Hasan said.
“If Bart Cummings was training him I think he would’ve been about 8-1 today.”
“Full credit to Chris because everyone bagged him after the South Australian Derby but to his credit he is around every Friday putting up his hand to help.”
Shoreham was allocated 50kg when BMW Caulfield Cup weights were released on Wednesday and Hasan said he had spoken to Racing Victoria’s General Manager – Racing, Greg Carpenter, about his rating.
Victory in the Group 3 D’Urban Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on 21 September or Group 2 Sportingbet Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) would improve Shoreham’s chances of a Cup start and Hasan said all options would be looked at.
“I was nominated for the Fred Hoysted Medal and I sat down next to Greg Carpenter and chewed his ear off all night and I kept saying to Greg that I wanted to get his rating up because he is a genuine chance,” Hasan said.
“His aim is the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup and I’ve got a plan (to get there).
“Don’t underestimate this horse because he’s a little better than what people think.”
After beginning well from barrier 11, Symons elected to go forward aboard the former Team Williams galloper and found cover off a hot tempo set by Niblick (James McDonald).
Approaching the turn, Symons was able to improve his position on Shoreham ($18) after peeling off the back of third placegetter Garud ($19) before overcoming TAB favourite Dany The Fox inside the final 50 metres.
“I didn’t panic and we took the chance to try and slot in and I was hoping to land behind Dany The Fox but it wasn’t the case,” Symons said.
“He just got into a nice rhythm rounding the turn and he kept improving and probably at the 400m mark I knew he was going to be hard to beat.
“Dany The Fox kept finding but to this bloke’s credit, he’s done a fantastic job.
Symons could have also found himself a leading Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) mount after partnering Miracle To Me to a win over classy fillies Bulbula, Metastasio and Casquets. (racingvictoria).
Click here to read more about Miracle To Me’s win in the Domain 1100.
Click here to view the full results from the entire Flemington card.