Rolling Pin had to survive a protest before securing back to back wins in the Group 2 $175,000 Ascend Sales Trophies Shannon Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill today.

Rolling Pin

Rolling Pin survived a protest to claim the win in the Shannon Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart

The Gwenda Markwell trained Rolling Pin was coming off a tough win in the Group 3 $150,000 Patinack Farm Cameron Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle on September 19 and produced another bulldog effort to prevail by a long head over Offenders.

In a tight finish, Corey Brown was on one rein to keep Rolling Pin from hanging in but after the five year old year rolled in and bumped runner-up Offenders, Kerrin McEvoy had no option but to fire in a protest.

McEvoy told Stewards in the protest hearing that his mount was bumped heavily over the concluding stages, but Stewards were quick to dismiss the objection.

Markwell has been able to get the best out of Rolling Pin in his last couple of runs and a start in the Group 1 $500,000 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick next week is on the cards.

“He’s done it again. He certainly pinned the ears back and wanted to win didn’t he?,” Markwell said.

“He certainly knows how to win a race every preparation.”

“We’ll just see how he goes during the week and let the horse tell us,” Markwell said of Rolling Pin’s chances of backing up next week.

Odds on favourite Fat Al was positioned perfectly by Nash Rawiller, fourth on the fence and hadn’t spent a penny and after staying on the fence in the straight, continued to make up ground over the final stages.

The Gai Waterhouse trained gelding is getting expensive for punters after getting beaten as favourite at his first run back from a spell at Rosehill two weeks ago as well as going under today at odds on.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.