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John O'Shea-trained Think Mink has recorded her first weekend city grade win at Rosehill on Saturday thanks to a ground saving ride by Blake Shinn in the Hicksons Handicap.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Always thereabouts at the finish, Think Mink today put in a career best performance when taking out the Fillies and Mares Benchmark 85 Hicksons Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill today.
The Scaredee Cat mare was ridden cold by in form rider Blake Shinn as race favourite Radar and Fill The Page set the tempo.
Think Mink was still buried away on the rail upon straightening and was the recipient of a vital split at the 250m.
It wasn't long until the mare hit the front on her way to a 2 ½ length win with Fill The Page and Happy Hussy getting the minor placings.
“It was a great ride from Blake [Shinn],” trainer John O'Shea said.
“We were adamant that the rail was a good spot and to just be patient and hold the rail as long as he could and it paid in our favour.”
It was Think Mink's first weekend city win today at her third attempt. The four-year-olds best prior win was at a Kembla Grange ATC meeting last December.
O'Shea believes the mare is capable of collecting black type with the Randwick trainer now looking for a race suitable to try doing it in.
“The other thing about her is she is bred to run over a little bit further and she obviously appreciates a bit of cut out of the ground.”
Think Mink's latest success is another which John O'Shea and Blake Shinn have recorded in partnership this past month with the pair previously combining for wins with Tigress Lily at Canterbury a fortnight ago and Leading at Kembla Grange on Wednesday.
