Fierce competitors team up

One-time adversaries Nick Ryan and Blake Shinn are becoming quite a team after they combined for an impressive first-up win by former star juvenile Mamaragan at The Valley on Saturday.

About 20 years ago, the pair were leading apprentices in Melbourne and “the fiercest competitors”, according to Ryan, but this autumn the pair could team-up for a feature race win if Mamaragan continues his comeback to form.

A G2 Skyline Stakes winner for Shinn and Golden Slipper Stakes placegetter in 2020, when trained in Sydney, Mamaragan was sold last year online for $125,000 to Ryan and some of his clients, with the victory earning nearly half that amount back immediately.

Ryan was quick to pay Shinn his credit for the on-speed victory, where Mamaragan sat outside leader Glenferrie Girl before sprinting clear.

“We were the fiercest of competitors, but I feel like now we are teaming up,” Ryan said. “There were no instructions today, as Blake has jumped the horse out three times.

“A lot of his jump-outs, he’s been ridden quiet, but he (Shinn) said his best asset is his gate speed.

“He (Shinn) gives you great confidence. He’s in a league of his own at the moment.”

For Shinn, the victory was his third of the day after wins aboard Fighting Arrow ($4.80) and No Secret ($7.50).

“He’s a really good horse and he always has been,” Shinn said. “He’s a genuine group horse and it’s nice to see him return to that form.”

Ryan said Mamaragan’s work had suggested he could return to his juvenile form, but he said he was wary as the horse had won just once in his past 21 starts.

“It was his first day at the races and it’s hard to be sure they are going to bring their form to the track,” he said.

“I am absolutely certain he’s got more improvement in him.

“He’s a pretty gross horse after just three jump-outs. I know how much improvement is there and the ability is there, so who knows?”

Story By Andrew Eddy