Jockey Blake Shinn says a win in the Melbourne Jockeys’ Premiership will look good on his record, but at the same time it is not something he has put a lot of thought into.
After a double at Flemington last Saturday and another winner at Sandown on Sunday, Shinn is within 11 wins of premiership leader Jamie Kah who is sidelined following her fall at Flemington in March.
It is Shinn’s first season back riding in Melbourne following a stint in Hong Kong and an even longer period riding in Sydney.
“I suppose through unfortunate circumstances its possible,” Shinn said of a potential premiership win.
“But my main focus is trying to stay out of the Stewards’ room and just try and chalk up as many winners and at the end of the season what will be, will be.
“I haven’t won one before, but I did come close, so in my first year back from Hong Kong and I haven’t been in Melbourne for a lot of years, it would be nice.”
Shinn said he was still adjusting to riding in Melbourne again which has seen the ride hit with a number of whip penalties and careless riding suspensions, but overall, he is content with how his first season back has gone.
“I haven’t lived in Melbourne since I was a young kid,” Shinn said.
“I’m getting used to the whole racing scene again, building new contacts, but overall, I have to be happy, running second in the premiership against the likes of Ollie (Damien Oliver), Craig Williams and some other top-class jockeys.
“I would say it’s pretty satisfying.”
Shinn said to stay out of the Stewards’ room on race day he needs he needs to quell his fierce determination to win at all costs.
He said he was still working on staying out of Stewards’ room, and if he can achieve that he is out on the track more which gives him more chances of riding a winner.
“I’ve been like it since I was a kid. I have to contain that enthusiasm,” Shinn said.
“It’s hard, especially when you want that result, but it’s important, as we have seen in recent times, we want everyone to go home safe, try and prevent incidents and that sort of stuff.
“I’m well aware of that and I’ll be doing everything I can.”
Shinn heads to Brisbane on Saturday to partner Rothfire in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup, (1300m) and Andalus in the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm.