Race Result:

1st: Shinzo (C Waller/J McDonald) - $4.40
2nd: Maharba (G Begg/M Dee) - $4F
3rd: Bases Loaded (G Waterhouse & A Bott/T Clark) - $6.50

Winning Time: 1:10.56 Last 600m: 35.15

Margins: 1¾L  x Short Head

"Off to the Slipper for Shinzo!"

Shinzo lets down with authority in the G3 Pago Pago Stakes.@mcacajamez @cwallerracing @CoolmoreAus pic.twitter.com/QET0pujw5S

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 11, 2023

 

Winning Trainer: Chris Waller

On the run: "He looks the real deal. Last start he got in the ruck and just didn't get galloping room, he wasn't really comfortable. Today, albeit going back to last, he had the chance to come around them and have clear air and I think that's what he needed." 

"I was actually pleased to see a wide draw today. He drew the outside, went back to last, did the first half of the race the right way. He got into a beautiful rhythm, loomed up effortlessly and it was good to see him fight the last 100 (metres)." 

On what's next: "He just goes home, he will be on the Aqua Walker this afternoon and ice, the same tomorrow then we'll just walk across here next Saturday and hopefully do the same." 

On the horse: "We've always known he was a decent horse. He's probably not your natural two-year-old speedster, hence the reason why he got beaten last start. James (McDonald) had him in a perfect position, but he just wasn't comfortable there. Then we learned later in the day they needed to be out wider on the track."

On the seven-day back-up into the Slipper: "His demeanour, it won't affect him. He is the most chilled out horse you could imagine. He's got the physique to deal with it because he's a nice roomy colt. I haven't punished him to get here, he's done it all naturally believe it or not. They're the types of horses that are going to run in the race and most important come out of the race as well." 

Winning Jockey: James McDonald

On the horse: "He's a beautiful horse, there's no two questions about that. Oozes so much quality, he's just got three-year-old written all over him. What he's doing now is just an absolute bonus. Can't wait until he comes back as a three-year-old because I think we'll see a fair dinkum horse."

On the potential upside: "He's just been a work in progress as well. As Chris's (Waller) horses get deeper in a prep they tend to get better and he's been slow maturing mentally and physically. But you only have to look at him, and he feels beautiful so he'll come to hand slowly. That's why as a three-year-old it's all over him."

Beaten Jockeys:

Nash Rawiller (Zulfiqar): "Probably just had to burn the candle at both ends."

Michael Dee (Maharba): "Good tough effort. Probably the heat took it out of him today. Just got quite hot and wound up before the start. That just took a bit out of him late."

Tim Clark (Bases Loaded): "It was a good performance. He sort of ran up to his form. Shinzo beat him home the other day and beat him home again today. He might have been looking for 1400m today but ran well."

Brett Prebble (Introducing): "He had a nice enough time in front. Was very wayward up the straight again. He has a big engine but I'd just like him focused."

Kerrin McEvoy (Godzilla): "A lovely run. He will improve with another furlong in two week's time."

Reece Jones (Bold And Blazen): "Nice run first up for him. Jumped well and travelled behind the speed. He didn't disgrace himself."

Regan Bayliss (Gustosisimo): "He is a nice horse. Still very raw."

Chad Schofield (Idhana): "I think he's a really nice horse for later."

Ryan Maloney (Limburg): "Just raced wide."