Shanwah makes it four straight wins in Alister Clark Stakes at The Valley

Emerging stayer Shanwah has earned a shot at the Australian Derby after posting his fourth straight win in the Alister Clark Stakes at The Valley.

Shanwah had an easy time in the Alister Clark Stakes at The Valley. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Emerging stayer Shanwah fired a broadside across the bow of his Australian Derby rivals when “toying” with his opposition in the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes at The Valley.

The Ciaron Maher-trained Shanwah had little trouble posting his fourth straight win in the Alister Clark Stakes 20 minutes before Broadsiding prevailed against other Australian Derby contenders in the Rosehill Guineas.

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Bookies promoted Shanwah to the second line of Australian Derby betting at $6 behind the New Zealand Derby winner Willydoit ($3.50).

Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said Shanwah’s recovery from his Alister Clark Stakes exertions would determine whether he tackled the Australian Derby at Randwick on April 5.

“If the horse is sound, and we’re happy, he can travel up to Sydney and have a crack at the Derby,” Turnbull said.

“Four in a row, it’s not easy to do and he’s on an upwards trajectory, which is fantastic.”

Shanwah too good for them in the Alister Clark! 💪

Could the Australian Derby be next for him? 👀@cmaherracing@Brown_ethan8pic.twitter.com/938h3nQ2qA

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) March 22, 2025

Jockey Ethan Brown allowed Shanwah to race behind the speed before the son of Too Darn Hot easily improved around the frontrunners from the 500m.

Brown took Shanwah back to the inside rail in the straight when the colt strode to a two-length win.

“I thought he was toying with them a bit there,” Brown said.

“He’s a horse of very high class.”

Brown had no doubt Shanwah would measure up to Group 1 level in the Australian Derby.

“The higher the pressure for this horse, the more it will switch him on,” Brown said.

“When he cruised around them, he was trying, but he had more to give.”

Maher won the Australian Derby with Explosive Jack (2021) and the brilliant galloper Hitotsu (2022) when training in partnership with David Eustace.

Explosive Jack won the Alister Clark two starts before his Australian Derby triumph.

Originally published as Shanwah makes it four straight wins in Alister Clark Stakes at The Valley