Pins’ son on the way to the top

10 March 2011

Shantaine Defies Weighty Problem

The WS-bred and sold Shantaine turned in an outstanding performance under a hefty weight to further her impressive career record with a brave victory at Ellerslie yesterday. The well-related daughter of Pins has four wins and five placings from her 11 appearances and not surprisingly is rated by Pukekohe trainer Richard Collett the equal of any horse in the stable.

Saddled with 59kg over the 2200 metres, Shantaine was settled midfield on the fence by Leith Innes before he angled off the rail with 600 metres to run. The four-year-old strode to the leaders in the straight and fought doggedly to gain a narrow decision. “We had to sprint a couple of times and it was a very good effort with the weight,” Innes said.

Purchased by Collett for stable clients Bruce and Gerald Shand from WS’s 2008 Premier Sale draft for $280,000, she is out of the winning Centaine mare Centelise from the Gr 1 family of the VRC Derby and Caulfield Guineas winner and successful sire Grosvenor.

Oaks Day glory for Waikato Stud-bred Sulek

Waikato Stud enjoyed a special moment on Oaks Day at Flemington on Thursday, when the New Zealand-bred gelding Sulek – by Super Seth out the O’Reilly mare Tiff And Co, saluted on one of the biggest days of the racing calendar and in front of an international crowd. Bred by the farm in partnership with the Dowager Duchess of Bedford, Sulek took out the A$500,000 Cirka Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final (1600m) for the third and most lucrative win of his career.

5 November 2026

The Corner with Garry Chittick

And so, another Melbourne Cup has been run. Regretfully, Mary and I were not there. I have no idea how many we attended up until COVID, and I miss the Cup week. Victoria prides itself as the sporting capital of Australia; it may be, they certainly know how to create an event.