Cox Plate winner Shamus Award resumes in Orr

Cox Plate winner Shamus Award will open his autumn campaign in next month’s CF Orr Stakes with Craig Williams as the jockey.

Danny O’Brien said Shamus Award and Shamexpress, returned to his stables from his Barwon Heads complex two days ago.

O’Brien said Shamus Award would trial next Friday at Flemington before progressing to the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday, February 8.

He said the colt may only have the one run before the $500,000 Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 1.

O’Brien said the $1 million Australian Cup (2000m), a week after the Australian Guineas, was an option, but the Guineas was the priority.

“He’s a colt the Guineas is a very important race for him, but the Australian Cup is an option. We will get to the Australian Guineas first,” O’Brien said.

“He’s a pretty clean winded type of colt. At this stage the plan is to run just in the Orr then go to the Guineas. The Futurity could be an option.”

O’Brien said Shamus Award, which broke his maiden status in the Cox Plate when ridden by apprentice Chad Schofield, would head towards the Group 1 ready to make an impact.

“He is sensational, he’s furnished out. He enjoyed his time at Barwon Heads, I’m very pleased with him.”

O’Brien said Shamexpress, who galloped with Shamus Award at Barwon Heads last Tuesday before heading back to his Flemington stables, would resume in the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes.

He said the four-year-old would then defend his Newmarket Handicap crown.

By Adrian Dunn, to view full Racing Network story click here

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