Perth Cup: Raquel Williams’ Collie-trained horse Paddy Shadow’s runs second to Midnight Blue in Perth Cup

The South West mare which bolted home for an emotional Bunbury Cup win nine months ago has come just metres from winning the State’s most prestigious horse race. Paddy’s Shadow, trained by Collie’s Raquel Williams, finished second in Saturday’s Perth Cup, coming in just half a length behind winner Midnight Blue. Having sat comfortably towards the back for the first 2000 metres, long-time jockey Shaun O’Donnell squeezed through on the rail and a blistering run on the inside saw Paddy’s Shadow tiring race leader Black Shadow with 60m to run. The seven-year-old mare was only upstaged by a perfectly timed surge from winner Midnight Blue, holding on for second and a ninth career place. O’Donnell, who Williams described as her “best mate” has ridden Paddy’s Shadow in 12 of its 13 starts in the past 12 months , including last year’s emotional Bunbury Cup triumph. It was a similarly patient ride to the one that sealed the win at Bunbury in March, with O’Donnell’s black and white silks not featuring at the front of the field until the home straight. Saturday’s race was Paddy Shadow’s fourth second-place finish since its last win in March. For Collie-based trainer Williams, a former professional jockey, it was a 132nd place from 438 starts as a trainer. But it was a Perth Cup day tinged with controversy, with the New Year’s Day event at Ascot becoming the first to be subject to the State Government’s new vaccine mandate. It meant WA’s leading hoop Willie Pike — who is not publicly revealing his vaccination status — withdrew from the event. He was scheduled to ride Midnight Blue, the eventual winner, which was steered to victory by Patrick Carberry. Carberry said post race he “felt for Willie”, who returned to racing in Pinjarra on Monday. “Obviously it’s his decision not to be riding,” he said. “I get on great with Willie. Although on the track we’re all very competitive, he’s a great guy and hopefully one day things can change.”