Group Two Double for Shanwah (NZ)

Emerging talent Shanwah (NZ) (Too Darn Hot) has gone back-to-back at Group Two level in Melbourne, adding Saturday’s A$500,000 DCE Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) to his last-start victory in Caulfield’s Autumn Classic (1800m).

Shanwah is by boom sire Too Darn Hot and is closely related to the Group One winners and sires Ocean Park (NZ) and Grunt (NZ). He was offered by his co-breeders Trelawney Stud during Book 1 of Karaka 2023, where he was bought by Cameron Cooke Bloodstock for $750,000.

After going winless in his first four starts, Shanwah has put together four wins in succession and has now earned A$558,975 from his eight-start, four-win career.

Shanwah was a warm favourite for the Alister Clark, and after striking some minor interference soon after leaving the starting gates, he was able to slide forward into a comfortable position in fourth. Jockey Ethan Brown got him rolling a long way from the finish, taking command before the home turn and putting the field to the sword.

The Ciaron Maher-trained Shanwah kicked clear at the home turn and was a class above his eight rivals, cruising to victory by two lengths.

“He can measure up, certainly,” Brown said. “The higher the pressure for this horse, the more it will switch him on. When he cruised around them, he was trying, but I feel he had more to give.

“I thought he was toying with them a bit there. He’s a horse of very high class. He’s a horse that has continued to improve. The 2000 metres was no worries to him at all.”

Shanwah’s future lies in Hong Kong, but Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull revealed on Saturday that he will contest the Group One Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on April 5 before his departure.

“It was a deal that was done privately with Kevin (Payne, owner), but we’ve got him to train for the Derby,” Turnbull said. “I am sure he got a good return, otherwise he wouldn’t have let the horse go.

“Thankfully, the clients that bought into him have allowed us to stay in Australia to run in these two races. But I believe they take over ownership before the Derby, so you might see the horse in different colours next time.”