Undefeated Shamus (NZ) Spectacular in Guineas

A quality line-up in Saturday’s $110,000 Group Two Life Direct Wellington Guineas (1400m) was the toughest test yet for Shamus (NZ) (Shamexpress), but the exciting Karaka graduate rose to the challenge and kept his perfect record intact.

Bought by trainer Allan Sharrock for $85,000 from the 2020 Ready to Run Sale, Shamus has now won all of his four starts and $109,906 in stakes.

The gelding had impressed with three smart victories to kick off his career, but Saturday’s Guineas was his first start at stakes level, and he was coming up against the likes of Group Two winner Pareanui Bay (NZ) (Lonhro) and Group One placegetter Shepherd’s Delight (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle). It was a significant step up, but Shamus made it look easy.

Ridden by Hazel Schofer, Shamus stormed home from the back and blazed past the hot favourite Pareanui Bay in the straight, stretching out impressively to score by a length.

“He’s a serious racehorse,” Sharrock said. “This was the race where he had to put his hand up, and he’s done that. He’s put his hand up and said, ‘I’m the man.’ He knows he’s a good horse, he’s got a bit of a swagger.

“The Stanleys (owners) have already turned down a lot of money for this horse, and I think he’s worth even more money now.”

Schofer, who has ridden Shamus in all of his four starts, has no doubts about his star quality.

“I didn’t really want to be on the rail, but he was always going to get back and that was just where I ended up,” she said. “I had a heap of horse under me, and I had enough room to get him out and let him down in the straight.

“I’ve liked him since his very first jumpout, he’s a really nice horse.”

Shamus is now the favourite for the $1m Group One Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on March 5, with the Group Two Waikato Guineas (2000m) at Te Rapa on February 2 and Group Two Avondale Guineas (2100m) at Ellerslie on February 19 among his potential lead-up assignments.