Murphy looks to the heavens for Shinshinto

By Glenn Davis

Trainer David Murphy will be looking to the weather Gods to boost the hopes of promising galloper Shinshinto at Ipswich on Wednesday.

Ipswich is currently a Good 4 but the weather bureau hasn’t ruled out some rain after Tuesday's Dalby meeting was abandoned due to the state of the track following a downpour on the western Darling Downs on Monday.

Shinshinto lines up in the Class Two Handicap for colts and geldings over 1350 metres as he bids for his third win in nine starts.

The four-year-old won a 1400-metre Class One at the Sunshine Coast on August 9 then was turned out for a break following a disappointing fifth to Rothabye in a 1600-metre Benchmark race at the Sunshine Coast on August 30.

The son of Golden Archer had his first start this campaign finishing a game second behind All To Do in an unsuitable 1000-metre Benchmark race at the Sunshine Coast on November 13.

Apprentice Justin Huxtable rode him on that occasion and has retained the mount.

“He's second up and will go a lot better this time,” Murphy said.

“He wasn't quite ready when he resumed at the Sunshine Coast and he’ll be a lot better over this trip.

"He likes the sting out of the track to do his best so I’m hoping there might be some rain coming."

Murphy said Shinshinto was one of the biggest horses in his stable and weighs 639kgs.

“I usually have about 10 horses in work and he’s a monster of a horse,” Murphy said.

“I’m down to about six in work now as I’ve turned out most of the mares with the hot weather we’re having.”

Murphy expects Shinshinto will be very competitive and has won second-up from two attempts.

He named the Noel Doyle-trained topweight Samurai as his main threat.

Samurai is resuming after finishing last of nine behind the Jack Duncan-trained Wapiti in the Group 3 Winx Stakes over 1600 metres at the Sunshine Coast in July.

The Fastnet Rock gelding has barrier trialled twice ahead of his return.

“Noel Doyle’s horse look the main danger as he shows a lot of promise,” Murphy said.

“But if the sting is out of the ground my bloke will be very competitive.”