Photo: Bruno Cannatelli
Well-bred three-year-old Shanwah (Too Darn Hot) is fulfilling his potential as a gelding for trainer Ciaron Maher with a dominant display in the Gr.2 Autumn Classic (1800m) at Caulfield.
The New Zealand-bred son of Too Darn Hot has recorded three victories in succession with Saturday’s win coming under a heady ride by Blake Shinn, who found the trail behind a solid tempo set by Emphasize.
Shanwah came off the leader’s back rounding the home turn and was a soft length and a half winner over Confetti Garden and Imperialist.
A $750,000 Karaka yearling purchase by Cameron Cooke Bloodstock on behalf of owners Kevin and Vikki Payne, Shanwah commenced his career as a colt but gelding has proved the making of the horse who could be bound for the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m).
“He was always a lovely horse,” Maher said.
“Kevin stumped up a bit of money for him at Karaka and I tried to get him to get his mind on the job as a colt and that was proving a little bit difficult.
“When he was gelded, it all just clicked with him. He is a lovely type and is by the right stallion and Kevin has got a knack of picking these horses. He is very progressive.
“He just wants to please you. He was happy to sit out there, and credit to Blake, he knew he wanted to be forward in the race.
“He was caught a little bit wide but as soon as he dropped his hands he just relaxed, tucked the head in and you know those horses are going to reach their full potential because they just want to please you.
“He couldn’t have been more impressive today so maybe on to an Alistair Clark (Gr.2, 2040m) or something like that and then maybe up north.”
Bred by Trelawney and long-time partner John Struthers, Shanwah is out of the Iffraaj mare Lady Sayyida and is a half-brother to Group Two winner Excelida.
A granddaughter of the hugely talented Sayyida, it is also the family of Ocean Park, Grunt and Zaydani.
Shanwah has now won three of his seven starts with a further placing and has amassed A$258,975 to date.
