
Carnival time
A patient ride by champion jockey Blake Shinn enabled promising three-year-old Carnival Row to notch an impressive win on the Pakenham Synthetic track on Monday, July 29.
Trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy, Carnival Row was given a gun ride by Shinn along the inside before coming off the fence turning for home and dashing to victory in the Carlisle Furniture & Bedding Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m).
Shinn let the gelding balance up early and find a rhythm before asking him to improve approaching the home turn.
Carnival Row was held up for a short time, but Shinn didn’t panic and waited for an opening before allowing the gelding to extend.
The $3.30 favourite, Carnival Row scored by a half-length from Super Solar ($12), with Marine Parade ($51), a quarter of a length away third.
Trainer Tony McEvoy said it had been a pleasure to watch Blake Shinn riding Carnival Row.
“What a gorgeous ride,” McEvoy said.
“He drew gate two and had a peach of a run.
“But Blake’s poise and balance when the run didn’t come – he just waited and had faith in his horse.
“He was able to get momentum and that is what won him the race.
“It is a pleasure to have these guys on your horses.”
McEvoy said Carnival Row would take great confidence from the win.
“He bounced back today, and I think ground is the key.
“We won’t be in a rush with him and let the winter pass.
“He has always suggested to us that he is a metropolitan horse, but we haven’t quite got there.
“We’ve worked him out now, what trip he wants, what ground he wants so going forward I think it is going to be much easier than it has been.
“We’ll just tick him over, might do a bit of dressage, bit of water walker or something else, but wait for the sunshine.”
Winning jockey Blake Shinn believes Carnival Row can measure up in tougher company.
“Everything was made to order today, we had a good draw and a soft run,” Shinn said.
“He is three, rising four and lightly raced.
“He is quirky, a bit of a thinker but I think if he can really apply himself he has a few more lengths up his sleeve.
“He beat some older horses today so that is an indication of his ability.”
Shinn said he believed Carnival Row had more ability than he had shown on the track and believed the McEvoys could get it out of him.
“Today, I had to wait around the home turn for the gap to come.
“When the gap came, he was good enough and enough ability to quicken when the run presented.
“He is a good horse going forward.”