Luckless Shamus not on Derby path

Shamus Award, one of the luckless runners in yesterday’s Caulfield Guineas is not destined for the Victoria Derby.

While Shamus Award is not a Derby starter, trainer Danny O’Brien is considering taking the colt to the Mitchelton Wines Vase at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate day.

O’Brien said his long term aim with Shamus Award is the Australian Guineas at Flemington in March.

He noted that the horse pulled up without issue after running into all sorts of problems in the race.

“We were hoping to sit on the speed and we ended up last on the corner,” O’Brien said.

“I suppose he’s just been beaten by the barrier. If you swap the barriers with him and Long John you probably swap the result.

“Given what happened to him – pushed off the course for virtually all the race it was a pretty impressive performance.”

O’Brien said contesting the Derby would impact too significantly on his stud value.

“He’ll probably go to the Vase or the Carbine Club (Stakes on Derby Day) with his main target to win the Australian Guineas,” O’Brien said.

Shamus Award was narrowly beaten and then protested unsuccessfully in the Stutt Stakes before his luckless Derby run.

Story by Adrian Dunn, to view full story click here 

Photo by Bruno Cannatelli, to view Bruno's website click here