Caulfield trainer Mick Price proved an instant hit with a band of new owners when Shinzig posted his first win in 2 1/2 years by taking out the Group One CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield yesterday.
Shares in the Danehill entire sold fast in the 24 hours beforethe race with trainer Troy Corstens, acting for a group of clients, buying four of 40 shares at A$21,000 each in the 6-year-old just an hour before the Orr.
"Mick [Price] has trained my first Group One winner," an elated Corstens said. "It's not too often you get to buy into a Group One winner an hour before he races."
Price is Shinzig's fifth trainer and he only came to him last spring after equine influenza (EI) prevented Sydney-based Gerald Ryan from continuing to train him.
Shinzig's other trainers have been Chris Waller, Chris McNab in New Zealand, and David Hayes.
The win was a bitter pill for Hayes as he watched Shinzig score in a photo-finish from his own consistent Group One performer Niconero, while Price's other runner Rubiscent finished third.
"This win gives me great satisfaction," Price said.
"I think that yesterday they were running around doing deals with 2.5 per cent shares going off left, right and centre. I think there are a few happy shareholders now.
"I know it is a long time since he'd won a race but he is now a Group One son of Danehill."
Shinzig produced the run of his life to give jockey Stephen Baster his 11th Group One win.
Baster raced his mount on the outside of the favourite Maldivian and made his run as Craig Williams plotted and weaved his way through the field on Niconero who hit the front just before Shinzig charged.
Shinzig promised much but his best previous win was the Group Three Schweppes Cup (1400m) at Caulfield in February, 2005, while his most recent success was over 1200m at Te Rapa in August of that year. The Futurity Stakes is Shinzig's next target.AAP
