Shadow Sax back and shouldering big expectations

SHADOW SAX is back and looking better than ever.

The Emma Stewart-trained five-year-old gave notice of big things to come by leading all the way in the Emma Turnbull Lawyers C5/better Pace, 1710m, in Ballarat on Friday, November 3.

This gave him his fourth win in five starts since an extended injury-enforced time on the sidelines.

What caught the eye most was the way he scored, rating a slick 1:53.1 – just 0.1 seconds outside the track record – as he held off late challenges by boom 4yos Let It Ride and Motu Meteor.

It was Let It Ride’s first loss in four runs in Australia, while Motu Meteor was coming off an impressive first-up win.

Owner and breeder Russell Hockham said a shoulder injury had sidelined Shadow Sax in the prime of his 3yo season.

After what Hockham described as a slow start to his career, the son of Shadow Play won the group 1 Vicbred Super Series final and group 1 Tatlow Stakes and then ran third to NZ superstar Our Waikiki Beach in the Breeders Crown final in his 2yo season.

He was warming towards more group 1 glory as a 3yo with four wins in five starts when the shoulder trouble struck

Hockham said it had been a long haul back, with 10 weeks of beach work at Warrnambool capping off his rehabilitation.

Shadow Sax had his first race start since May, 2016, at Terang on August 15 this year and duly saluted.

Shadow Sax, which was has been driven by Gavin Lang in all his 21 starts, now has 13 wins and six minor placings for $230,000 in stakes.

His next assignment will be the group 2 $75,000 4yo and 5yo Championship at Melton on Saturday, November 11, when he will again clash with Let It Ride and Motu Meteor.