‘We won’t go down without a fight’: Blake Shinn issues Giga Kick challenge with Rothfire in Group 2 McEwen Stakes
The McEwen Stakes could be tough sprinter Rothfire’s best chance of beating Giga Kick, according to top hoop Blake Shinn.
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Fierce competitor Blake Shinn wants to make the most of what could be the best and only chance to beat Giga Kick this spring.
Dual Group 1 and The Everest prodigy Giga Kick is a $1.90 favourite with TAB to salute in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) on Saturday at The Valley.
New Zealand star and multiple Group 1 winner Imperatriz, who won the William Reid Stakes at The Valley last autumn, and Shinn’s mount Rothfire round out the top three in the market.
Shinn warned the tough Queensland Group 1 winner Rothfire, who clinched the McEwen Stakes last year, would be “right there to the end”.
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“Obviously we’re up against Giga Kick and the like, but we won’t go down without a fight, I guarantee you,” Shinn said.
“This horse, I tell you, will be there right to the end.”
Giga Kick, Australia’s best sprinter outside of I Wish I Win, who defeated The Everest winner in the TJ Smith Stakes last autumn in Sydney, was beaten first-up last campaign.
A hi-octane race is assured on Saturday with electric Acromantula, a last-start Valley 1000m Listed winner, pacy Zoustyle and rank outsider How’s The Serenity, to contest the early lead.
Race shape and speed, track pattern potentially also, could suit and/or undermine Giga Kick.
Rothfire, Seradess and Imperatriz should have a drop on the leaders, with superstar Giga Kick in a stalking role.
“I’m mindful we don’t want to be setting it up for these backmarkers,” Shinn said.
“It’s going to be a high pressure race, but he’s a Group 1 horse … if he’s going to beat Giga Kick and the other horses, this might be his chance.”
Shinn has five rides at The Valley including Tuvalu, a $5 second favourite, in the Cox Plate-qualifying Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) and emerging Cups hopeful First Immortal in the last on the 10-race card.
Shinn rode Group 1 Toorak Handicap winner Tuvalu for the first time last start in the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield, placed fourth behind Mr Brightside, beaten two lengths.
“A mile is going to suit him and I think this is a good opportunity for him,” Shinn said.
“Hopefully he can get his ticket into the Cox Plate.”
Caulfield and Melbourne Cup-nominated First Immortal emerged as a winter three-year-old, winning five of seven starts between 1700m and 2500m, to warrant a look at the spring.
Shinn won twice on the promising Mark and Levi Kavanagh-trained stayer.
“I really like this horse … he couldn’t have done much more in the back end of last season,” Shinn said.
“He’s got plenty of scope … a mile is obviously a bit short of his best but I expect him to run well.
“He’s certainly going to improve once he gets (past 2000m), he’s fit enough to run a mile, I’m optimistic because I like the horse, I think he can run a good race.”
Shinn endorsed First Immortal’s potential, drawing the parallel to Mark Kavanagh’s 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking.
After success in restricted three-year-old ranks, Shocking graduated to open Group races in the spring.
“Kav did it with Shocking, bloody oath he (First Immortal) could (aim at Cups),” Shinn said.
“You dare to dream but he’s got the right profile of a horse that could make big steps … he won at 2500m with 60kg, giving six kilos to the rest of them.
“We know he stays, but he’s got a bit of brilliance … I’m excited for Kav, they’re in a rebuilding stage and they’ve got some good horses but this one could be a flag-bearer for them.”
Originally published as ‘We won’t go down without a fight’: Blake Shinn issues Giga Kick challenge with Rothfire in Group 2 McEwen Stakes
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