Trainer Mark Newnham will chase more Group 1 wins during the Sydney Autumn Carnival with Shadow Hero following his win in the Group 1 $1m Mostyn Copper Randwick Guineas (1600m) at Randwick today.
Shadow Hero made it two Group 1 wins at Randwick from two race day appearances at the track courtesy of that brilliant ride from jockey Josh Parr who steered a winning course in between run from the top of the straight until the winning post.
The combination of Newnham, Parr and Shadow Hero tasted Group 1 glory with a win in the $1m Moet & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick during the 2019 Sydney Spring Carnival.
Parr settled Shadow Hero in the middle of the pack and started to make a forward move approaching the home turn.
Shadow Hero ($6) gradually gained momentum in the straight and appeared in between the leaders at the 250m before going on to record a three quarters of a length win over the $4.60 favourite Microphone.
Brandenburg ($5.50) raced in the first four for the majority of the race and battled on gamely to find third spot just ahead of the Chris Waller trained Reloaded ($12).
“He’s a fabulous animal. He’s got so much of his father about him. He pins those ears back. He just wants to win and when Josh got him into the clear at the top of the straight, he started to surge between them, I was pretty confident he would be the strongest late,” Newnham said.
“Physically he’s improved, mentally he’s improved. I think there is a lot more to come.”
Shadow Hero will now head to the Group 1 $600,000 Sky Racing Rosehill Guineas (2000m) at Rosehill on March 21 and then onto the Group 1 $2m Harrolds Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on Day One of The Championships on April 4.
“We’ll follow the Rosehill Guineas/Derby plan. I don’t see any reason to change,” Newnham said.