From heartbreak to hotshot

Scenic Shot moves up the middle to Group 1 victory

Brisbane jockey Shane Scriven had one of his best days out at Doomben on the XXXX Gold Raceday on Saturday, May 16.

The expressive hoop returned to scale twice victorious on the day, both times with a strong display of emotion.

His first win of the day, aboard Rampant Lion in the Group 3 XXXX Gold Lord Mayor’s Cup 1615m was an emotional one for all connections of the eight-year-old gelding.

The fairytale continued for Scriven as he guided the Daniel Morton-trained Scenic Shot to an impressive victory in the Group 1 XXXX Gold Doomben Cup.

After the jump from barrier 13, Scenic Shot (G6 Scenic IRE-Sweepshot) stayed wide on the track and settled mid-field while Sir Slick (Glen Colless) took the lead.

Scenic Shot went wide around the home turn and with the acceleration he had in reserve he looked a likely chance.

Racing to Win (Hugh Bowman) also put up a challenge and the two hit the line together.

The spoils went the way of the Western Australian-trained galloper beating out Racing to Win by a nose.

Sir Slick followed in third by three quarters of a length.

Daniel Morton’s father Len was on track for the win as Daniel is busy preparing stablemate Scenic Blast for his Royal Ascot campaign, and he was clearly proud as punch of his son.

“It makes you proud as a parent,” said Len.

“If ever a horse deserved a Group 1 it’s him. He’s been so consistent.”

The plan Scenic Shot’s team had for the race worked in their favour.

Shane Scriven celebrates his second win of the day and his first Group 1 in 17 years

“We knew we were going to be in trouble from the wide gate but the plan was to do exactly what he (Scriven) did,” said Len.

“Follow the pace across then ease back off it so you’re not right on top of the pace all the way.

“If you can slide in that’s lovely but don’t work too hard to try and get inside horses.

“He likes to keep his rhythm and balance and just use that really efficient stride that he’s got.

“When they straightened up I thought I know he’ll keep running.

“I haven’t got a thrill out of watching horses in their trackwork like I did with this horse here on Thursday morning. He was just wonderful with young Matty O’Connell.”

Scriven felt he had a good grounding of what he had to do with the gelding. As well as the directions from connections, he sought advice from previous riders Glen Colless and Damien Oliver and jumped on the horse earlier in the week.

“He can put in an ordinary run and it doesn’t surprise to see him bounce back next start,” said Scriven.

“His work here on Tuesday was good. I didn’t ride him on Thursday but the boys raved about it. Matty’s been riding him most of his work and he said ‘Scriven it was winning work. It’s a shame about the alley but you overcome that, you’ll be winning’.

“I knew I’d be a little bit wide round the back and hopefully we could slot in. It all just worked out.

“The grey horse (Racing to Win) wanted to come off the fence at the 1200m. I just let him do that. I didn’t want to get buffeted around.

“But we slotted back in coming around the half mile turn and again we didn’t want to get buffeted around so I just eased him out and he just kept lengthening.

Rampant Lion is congratulated by his jockey and number one fan Shane Scriven (Noel Pascoe photos)

“The topweight (Racing to Win) came at me in the straight. I thought he had the better of me but he just wouldn’t lie down. Two old buggers going hammer and tong.

“Lenny and the boys told me he doesn’t like being cluttered up so I was happy to sit out there. I moved him around and everywhere I wanted to go he just relaxed and he did everything I wanted him to and he fought like a caged lion.

“He was very determined. Watching Sir Slick I knew Glen would try and get a break on us. I had to be the one to set out after him and then fair play to the grey horse, he really stuck the challenge to me but he just wouldn’t lie down.”

This was Scriven’s fourth Group 1 win with his first three coming early in his career.

“There’s been plenty of seconds since then,” he said. “It’s been a long time coming.

“I was going to retire when I rode my next one but bugger that this is too much fun!

“I’m getting too old for this but we’re picking up some nice rides. I knew I’d be having a good Carnival.

“Over the last few Carnivals I’ve been trying to win a Group 1.

“I’ve been thinking of hanging the boots up and that thought went through my brain. I just want to ride another one now.”

Scriven was impressed his two rides came on older horses. “They refuse to lie down,” he said. “It’s amazing to see these old horses winning races like this. We’ve had a pretty good day.”

His other charge Rampant Lion (G8 Lion Hunter-La Gypsy) come out near the lead but settled towards the back of the field leaving Rags to Riches (Robert Thompson) to take the lead for most of the trek in the Lord Mayor’s Cup.

Race favourite Solo Flyer (Damien Oliver) sat in the box seat for most of trip before putting in the challenge in the straight to overtake Rags to Riches.

Rampant Lion started to close the gap at the turn but it wasn’t until the 100m mark that his big sprint scored him the win three quarters of a length in front of Solo Flyer.

Rags to Riches finished third by a neck.

Scriven won the same race last year about the Barry Baldwin-trained Rum Dum and his jubilance was again on display.

“He is one of my favourites,” said Scriven. “We’re about as old as each other. But I’ve never come to death as close as he has.”

Rampant Lion has had a sometimes heartbreaking career with more places than wins in several stakes races. His story became even more heartwrenching for connections earlier this year when a mysterious neck injury had them fearing for the gelding’s life.

But he returned to health and returned to the track with a win in the Listed Dr. John Power Handicap.

Trainer Lindsay Gough describes Rampant Lion as a “marvel”.

“He been in and out and back again and away we go,” he said.

Gough didn’t expect the sprint Rampant Lion produced with 59 kilograms on his back. “He just busted his guts every time,” he said.

Gough wasn’t entirely confident heading into the race that was the aim for his whole preparation. “How can you be confident in a Group 3?” he questioned, yet the win at Doomben became his biggest yet.

“Weight-for-age is his go for sure,” said Gough who thought earlier in the year he’d run his last race. “There were tears.”

“We love him.”

QUEENSLAND Racing web news: Hollie Roberts – May 18