Blake Shinn has extended his lead in the Melbourne Jockeys’ Premiership, riding a treble at Sandown on Wednesday despite struggling with a virus.
Shinn steered home the favourites Ad Vitam and Exit in the Sportsbet Jockey Watch Plate (1400m) and Tobin Brothers Celebrating Lives Handicap (1300m), before taking out the Sportsbet Race Replays Handicap (1400m) aboard Kira.
The winning treble moved him seven wins ahead of Craig Williams, who went winless on the day, with just four meetings left in the season.
“I’m fit, but I’m battling a virus, so I don’t feel the best,” Shinn said.
“I’ve picked up a bit of a bug… but that’s part and parcel of the job and we keep turning up.”
Shinn only recently returned from injury, initially expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the season.
He praised Williams, calling him “a legendary jockey,” as the premiership race heads to Flemington on Saturday, with Shinn booked for seven rides and Williams for eight.
Shinn also has high hopes for Ad Vitam, who broke his maiden at just his second start.
“He’s got a good engine… mentally he’s still six months away but I like the way he finished,” Shinn said.
Betting site favourite Ad Vitam started at $2.35.