Moira and Kieran Murdoch’s renowned beach training has turned around the careers of countless gallopers over the years, and former Taranaki star Shamus (NZ) (Shamexpress) added his name to that list in Saturday’s $40,000 Northpine Waipu Cup (1400m) at Ruakaka.
The highly talented Shamexpress gelding was a six-time winner from 13 starts for New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock, headed by the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) as a three-year-old in 2022. He also placed in the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) and Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m), and he finished a close sixth in the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) in January.
Saturday’s Waipu Cup was the five-year-old’s third start for the Murdochs, who took over his training when Sharrock suggested a change of scenery earlier this year.
Shamus ran fifth in his first start for his new stable at Te Rapa on May 4. He carried 59kg in that open 1200m sprint and was beaten by four and a quarter lengths by Turn The Ace (NZ) (Turn Me Loose)
The Murdochs then stepped Shamus up to 1400m at Ruakaka on June 8, this time under 60kg. He finished fourth, beaten by nine and a quarter lengths by Malt Time (Adelaide). That dominant winner went on to place in last Saturday’s Listed Tauranga Classic (1400m).
Shamus stepped out on to an ideal Good4 track for Saturday’s Waipu Cup, and he returned to winning form in outstanding style.
Ridden by 2kg claimer Ace Lawson-Carroll, Shamus settled on the outside of the front-running Trigon Lad (NZ) (Towkay) before striding forward to take command at the turn.
He briefly looked vulnerable in the long Ruakaka home straight as Fonteyn (NZ) (Swiss Ace), Winning For All (Shooting To Win) and the late-flashing Gentian Blue (NZ) (Reliable Man) ate into his margin under lighter weights, but Shamus dug deep and held them all at bay to win by a long neck. The 1400m were run in a quick 1:21.71.
“He kicked away really well at the turn,” Lawson-Carroll said. “Halfway up the straight I thought they might be able to catch me, but he held on and it was a big effort under that weight.”
Shamus has now had 16 starts for seven wins and four placings, earning just under $240,000 in stakes for owners Noel and Ron Stanley.
Buoyed by Saturday’s performance, Moira Murdoch is now keen to take Shamus back to Ruakaka for the $60,000 ITM/Gib Sprinters’ Final during the Northern Winter Championships meeting on July 13.
“It was lovely to see that from him today,” Murdoch said. “I don’t think there was really much wrong with his first two runs for us, but he does seem to prefer a drier surface, so the good track today probably helped him a bit more.
“The only worry in the straight was his big weight, but he kept going strongly. The Winter Final back here in two weeks’ time is definitely the next target.”
