Puck Shapeshifter storms to race victory

PUCK Shapeshifter capped off a fantastic win for the Giadresco stable on Sunday, grabbing a second career victory in dominant fashion in the $17,500 Parks Tavern Sports Bar Handicap (1116m) at the Bunbury Turf Club.

On Wednesday, stablemate Fair Nakita claimed an impressive victory and Sunday’s win has Peter and Matt Giadresco pushing up the points table in the Leading Trainer Premiership.

Apprentice jockey Randy Tan produced a fantastic ride aboard the four-year-old chestnut gelding, breaking hard from barrier nine and never slowing down, leading from start to finish.

Matt Giadresco said it was a good victory for Puck Shapeshifter.

“He only had one trial and run second by a head,” he said.

“He went over the 1200m twice now and failed, so we decided to go back in distance and he won well.”

Giadreso said he was pleased with Tan’s ride.

“Randy took the race on well and it was over within the first 100m,” he said.

“He is in good form. He is probably the in-form apprentice at the moment.

“He puts the hard work in, so he deserves it.”

Stablemate A Patch on Knee failed to grab a win for the Giadrescos, finishing fourth in the Parks Shopping Centre Maiden (1116m), more than two-and-a-half lengths behind winner and favourite, Sir Snugalot.

But in positive news for the stable, stayer Profit Street is expected to be back in work this week after a spell.

Jockey Peter Knuckey said Sir Snugalot was an impressive horse.

“The horse was a little bit off its game last start,” he said.

“He jumped clean and ran well the whole race.

“I’d say (trainer) Simon (Miller) will stick with the short courses with him.”

Trainer Jason Miller also had a day out on Sunday, claiming two maiden victories.

Hoop Joseph Azzopardi confidently rode Amaliemoo to her first win from five starts, heading from fourth in the turn to power down the straight and win the $15,000 Mandoon Estate Maiden (1420m).

This was followed by a victory in the $15,000 Bunbury & Capel Ceilings Maiden with Fast as the Wind.

Premier jockey William Pike held the three-year-old brown filly back until the turn, before putting the foot down and living up to the name, storming down the straight to win three-and-a-half lengths.

“I thought it might be a little bit short for her today, I thought she would be looking for a mile,” Miller said.

“But she obviously has got natural improvement from her first up run.”