Blake Shinn made the most of his trip north, guiding Hadouken to back-to-back victories in the Darwin Cup on Monday.
The Melbourne premiership-winning jockey teamed up with longtime friend and trainer Peter Robl to win the $200,000 feature over 2000m.
It was a special moment for Shinn, who missed the ride last year due to weight but made up for it this time around.
“This is a really big race up here… it feels like a Group 1 race,” Shinn said.
Hadouken sat outside the lead before taking over on the turn and holding off a late surge from Prince Jofra to win by a neck.
Motorace finished a close third.
Robl praised Shinn’s influence on the result.
“That B Shinn factor was a big factor, especially that last 100,” Robl said.
The win marks another major moment in Robl’s transition from jockey to trainer, and a highlight in Shinn’s already decorated career.