Pins’ son on the way to the top

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.