SYDNEY - The experience of master trainer Bart Cummings and the youth and ability of jockey Blake Shinn proved a winning formula at Randwick on Saturday, with the pair combining for a double.
Despite the 60-year age gap between them, Shinn and Cummings, who turns 80 in November,added plenty of lustre to a cold winter's afternoon of racing on the Kensington track.
The partnership struck an early blow when the recently gelded Mulaman turned around his indifferent form to claim The Pam and Petra Inspirational Gift (1300m) before Gretchenella arrived in the final stride to nail the favourite Easy Step in the Marriott Hotels Hcp (1550m).
Cummings said Gretchenella was likely to be retired to the broodmare barn this spring but he was hopeful of getting more wins out of her before then.
"We'll keep her going while she's winning but she will probably go to stud at the end of the season," Cummings said. "She handles wet going, she likes the outside and she's got a good turn of foot."
Cummings has long been a fan of Shinn, who despite being only 19 is already a Scobie Breasley medal winner in Victoria.
The youngster made the move from Melbourne during the autumn to become a stable rider for Gai Waterhouse but had an interrupted start to his Sydney stay due to a series of careless-riding suspensions.
But he has found his rhythm in recent weeks and brought up a treble on Saturday when he won the final event aboard the Denise McGrath-trained Keen Commander.
