Minnesota Shark Wins at Mooney Valley

August 23rd, 2008

Minnesota Shark (Lonhro - Ponton Flyer) won in sentaional fashion at Moonee Valley yeterday in the Listed McEwen Stakes.  In a race that is normally the first round of the battles leading into the Guineas, Minnestota Shark was able to come from last on the turn to stick his head out and win on the line .  What made this win even more impressive is the way he was able to make ground on a track that played to leaders throughout the day.

Tommy has always had big plans for this huge, leggy colt, but amazingly he win into yesterdays race as a maiden, after encouraging runs in Group races earlier in the year.

Minnesota Shark always seemed to be travelling but rounding the turn, it looked like he had missed the kick, but when Damian Oliver moved over to the rails, he seemed to grab the bit again and find another gear that only special horses can, and Oliver was able to weave a passage through the field to win in stylish fashion.

              Congratulations to the Whittenbury family, who have always been great, loyal owners for the Hughes stables for a long time now and it looks like they have another special horse on their hands.  Minnesota Shark looks like a horse with a real future and will be a serious player in all the Spring majors.