Racing
Hobart winner still learning the game
Despite winning two of his three career starts, trainer Brendan McShane says that lightly raced four-year-old Skin in the Game is far from being a finished product.
Overcoming the statistics suggesting that few horses immediately win a class 1 after a maiden victory, Skin in the Game was one of the most impressive winners on last Sunday's nine-race program in Hobart.
Sent out an easing favourite ($2.70 to $3.90), it took a high-class ride from Anthony Darmanin to overcome a tardy getaway and nail Obviously Good ($4.20) in the last 100m, with a significant margin back to outsider Christopher Robin in third.
"He's not the sort of horse you really want to be taking gaps with; he's not easy to control or steer," said Brendan Mcshane.
"I just thought Darma showed a lot of courage to bring him through the field, and I was so impressed with how the horse responded late when he picked up the challenge of the runner-up."
Although Skin in the Game hasn't been a conventional addition to McShane's Broadmarsh stables, he's proven to be a profitable one.
"We were going to enter into a lease with the original owner, but he got into some trouble with Racing Victoria, and ultimately we were awarded the horse for nothing," McShane said.
All three of Skin in the Game's starts have been over 1400m in Hobart, which may not change considerably in the short term.
"He will take a full year to season as a racehorse, so we will continue working through our grades.
"He's a very difficult horse. After the race, he literally lunged at every horse that walked past him, and you can't put him in a paddock with other horses.
"We think he will get over further in time, but for now it would be too challenging for the rider."
On Tuesday morning in Hobart, McShane's team braved wet conditions and came out on top in half of the six trials conducted.
"Thelma is getting ready for a Class 6, 1200m (Hobart, 22 June).
"Swinging It and Hubbubajahn both seem to like the wet, and I think there's a Class 1 (1200m) for Hubbajahn at the next Hobart meeting, and a benchmark 60 (1100m) for Swinging It a fortnight later."
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