Blake Shinn to be based in Queensland in the lead-up to Gold Coast Magic Millions

Champion Victorian Blake Shinn has made an important decision about where he will base himself in the upcoming period leading into Magic Millions.

Blake Shinn will ride in Queensland for four weeks leading into the Magic Millions meeting. Picture: Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Champion Victorian jockey Blake Shinn will base himself in Queensland during the summer carnival to build momentum heading into lucrative Gold Coast Magic Millions day in January.

Shinn will return from suspension on December 20 at Flemington but he will then ride in Queensland for four consecutive weeks and at the Magic Millions carnival.

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He will also head across the ditch to ride at a key meeting in New Zealand on Boxing Day where he has been booked to ride exciting Kiwi filly and NZ Thousand Guineas winner Molly Bloom in the Group 2 Eight Carat Classic.

Shinn is also likely to score a ride in the Group 1 Zabeel Classic.

Jetting back to Queensland on the evening of Boxing Day, Shinn will ride at a host of Queensland Saturday and midweek city meetings leading into the Magic Millions day on January 13 where the 2YO and 3YO races are now worth $3m apiece.

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“The Queensland Summer Carnival has become a showpiece event during December and I felt that basing myself in Queensland over this period will best give me the opportunity to avail myself to both local and interstate trained horses whilst building momentum heading into the Magic Millions Carnival in early January,” Shinn said.

Blake Shinn will make Queensland his temporary riding home in summer. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

“It is such an important time for the industry with the first yearling sale of the season which carries such significant participation both domestically and internationally.

“The Magic Millions carnival boasts both elite equine talent and such huge prizemoney, and having been a previous winner of the Magic Millions 2yo Classic (on Capitalist in 2016), I firmly believe that basing myself in Queensland over this 4 weeks will give me the best opportunity for success.”

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During a busy riding period, Shinn will also return to Melbourne on New Year’s Day to ride at Flemington at the Bagot Handicap/Chester Manifold Stakes meeting.

Shinn has enjoyed some memorable times in Victoria recently, winning last season’s metropolitan jockey premiership as well as the coveted Scobie Breasley Medal which recognises riding excellence.

Shinn won his second Scobie Breasley Medal 18 years after first claiming the prize as a young apprentice jockey.