Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Blake Shinn return plans will take an important step at Flemington on Friday, with the top jockey booked for five jump-out rides as he continues his comeback from a broken leg.
Shinn has not ridden in a race since falling from She’s Got Pizzazz at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day last year, making this next stage a major marker in his recovery.
His comeback comes during a busy period in Victorian racing, with Extreme Taste’s Ipswich breakthrough hopes adding another strong storyline across the sport.
Shinn Builds Toward Race Return
Shinn is set to ride War Machine for Lindsay Park trainers Ben Hayes, Will Hayes and J D Hayes. He has also picked up mounts for Leon Corstens, Troy Corstens and Will Larkin.
The 36-year-old has gradually raised his workload after starting with trackwork for his partner, Lucy Yeomans. Friday’s jump-outs will help decide whether he returns on July 25 or waits until August 1.
“Each stage has been ticked off and now we’re at the next stage, jump-outs and trials,” Shinn commented.
“I’ll do Friday, then maybe one day next week.
“There are trials on the (July) 16th at Caulfield and that will determine where I kick off, whether it’s the 25th or wait a week for August 1.”
Official racing fields and Victorian racing updates are available through Racing Victoria.
Yeomans Stable Adds Another Win
Shinn was at Sandown on Wednesday as Yeomans celebrated Parvati Party’s win in the MRC Membership Made Of Moments Handicap over 2125m.
“I will play that by ear,” Shinn stated.
“But in saying that, when I broke my neck, my first day back was at Randwick and I rode two winners and my first ride back, I won on Tom Melbourne.
“If it pans out, I’ll have a meeting before, but I’m in a good spot and I’m getting excited as all the hard work is done.
“We’re at the pointy end.”
Yeomans has now trained nine winners since launching her stable, with one more needed to reach a target she set with Shinn.
“We’ve only got 10 in work but only three or four up and racing,” Yeomans shared.
“That’s our ninth winner, and Blake and I set a little target of trying to get double figures by the end of the season, so hopefully we can get one more winner by then and we’ll be rapt.”
