Jockey Blake Shinn produced a first class ride on Skyerush to take out the Group 2 $175,000 Ascend Sales Emancipation Stakes (1600m) at Randwick today.

Shinn has had a relatively quiet Autumn Carnival with limited opportunities but showed his talent by pushing Skyerush through a tight gap at the 100m mark to drive the mare to a long neck victory over Fibrillation with Divorces a short head away in third spot in a tight finish.

Blake Shinn guides Skyerush to victory in the Emancipation Stakes - photo (c) Steve Hart

The Guy Walter six year old showed that she was not far off a win when second at Randwick last start and she hit the line strongly to score her eight victory.

Coming up the rise Shinn had nowhere to go and had to wait until the 200m before he could see any daylight and once there was enough room, Skyerush shot through.

Walter capped off a good Carnival having won the Group 1 $550,000 Patinack Farm Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick last week with his top class filly Streama.

Walter said that Skyerush had taken a bit longer to get fit this preparation and has finally produced dividends.

“She’s such a good little mare, honest little mare really. She’s raced well now for two if not three seasons. She’s taken a little while. We weren’t going to run her last Saturday but she’s an older mare now and has taken a little bit longer to get fit,” Walter said.

Walter was quick to praise Shinn for a such a confident, well judged ride.

“He rode her superbly and she’s an underrated mare.”