‘Do it for Guy’: Jockey Blake Shinn’s Doomben Cup inspiration 10 years on after his win on Streama
It was a decade ago when Blake Shinn won his first Doomben Cup on the Walter-trained, Streama. Tragically, just a few days later, Walter died from a heart attack.
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Champion jockey Blake Shinn has revealed he reflects daily on the profound influence the late Guy Walter has had on his career prior to his attempt to equal the race riding record on outsider Bois D’Argent in the Group 1 $1 million Doomben Cup (2000m) on Saturday.
It was a decade ago when Shinn won his first Doomben Cup on the Walter-trained Streama.
Tragically, just a few days later, Walter died from a heart attack.
He was only 59.
“If I could win the Doomben Cup again, some 10 years after I won the race for Guy with Streama, it would mean a lot to me,’’ Shinn said.
“Guy was a massive influence on my career – and he still has an impact to this day.’’
Walter is regarded as one of the nation’s great trainers, preparing the winners of nearly 1500 races including 36 at Group 1 level with the likes of champion Tie The Knot, Defier, Court’s In Session, Spinning Hill, Appearance, Patezza, Republic Lass, Wild Iris and Streama.
Shinn, who rode regularly for the Warwick Farm-based trainer, admitted Walter still has an influence on his life and career.
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“I always think about Guy and the advice he gave when I approach my riding,’’ Shinn said.
“From a training perspective, I often recall what Guy would say or do when I’m giving feedback to trainers.
“But Guy was more than just a great trainer. He was a mentor, a friend, and a great man.’’
Shinn hopes to honour Walter’s memory by winning a third Doomben Cup on Bois D’Argent. He also rode the Gai Waterhouse-trained Pornichet to win the race in 2015.
Since the Doomben Cup was first run in 1933, the only jockeys to have won it three times are Jim Cassidy, Kerrin McEvoy, Maurice McCarten and George Moore.
Shinn, the only jockey to win the Sydney and Melbourne premierships, is closing in on the 2000-wijn career winners and is chasing a 28th Group 1 win on Bois D’Argent in the Doomben Cup.
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Bois D’Argent, a former French stayer now trained by Annabel Neasham, is rated only a $26 chance in latest TAB Fixed Odds betting behind favourite Kovalica at $3.50.
A striking near-white gelding, Bois D’Argent has built a consistent record for the Neasham stable and goes into the Doomben Cup off a last-start third in the Gold Coast Cup run in extremely heavy conditions on the Sunshine Coast.
Bois D’Argent will appreciate the firmer track conditions for the Doomben Cup and is among four runners for Neasham in the big race.
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Neasham, who won a Doomben Cup with Zaaki in 2021, also has Numerian ($8), Fawkner Park ($14) and Naval College ($41) in the feature race.
Shinn’s other big-race rides at the Doomben meeting include Molly Bloom ($4.20) in the Group 2 $300,000 The Roses (2000m) and Embassy ($4.80) in the $1 million Magic Millions National 2yo Classic (1050m).
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Originally published as ‘Do it for Guy’: Jockey Blake Shinn’s Doomben Cup inspiration 10 years on after his win on Streama
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