Crowd favourite Scenic Shot showed he was still a force to be reckoned with as an eight-year-old when he scored a thrilling win in today’s $500,000 Group One Doomben Cup (2020m).
Trained in Perth by top horseman Dan Morton, Scenic Shot came with a strong run in the home straight, on the inside of rivals, to hit the front and hold out imports My Kingdom of Fife and Glass Harmonium for another big race success.
A regular visitor to the Brisbane Winter Carnival, Scenic Shot won the Doomben Cup two years ago on his way to wins in the O’Shea Stakes and Brisbane Cup.
Connections will be hoping he can emulate those victories as he hunts more big race success in the Sunshine State.
“He’s fantastic,” Morton said.”He’s an eight-year-old this horse and everything with him is a bonus from now on.”
“I was a bit worried with him back on the fence. He doesn’t normally like it like that – bt they opened up and I couldn’t believe the run he got through.”
“He’s an absolute tiger in a finish. I knew he would (fight).”
“My only worry was they he couldn’t see the one (My Kingdom of Fife) on the outside. I knew he wouldn’t lay down.”
“He’s an absolute evergreen. Between himself and Scrivo – they have a lot of enthusiasm. They are a good pair.”
“We’ll head toward the new couple of races now and we’ll see where he takes us.”
“The O’Shea and if he’s fit and well we’ll roll the dice in the Brisbane Cup,” Morton summed up
Winning rider Shane Scriven couldn’t be more complimentary of a horse he rates as his all time favourite.
“This is not a horse – he’s a machine. He’s going better now than he was two years ago.”
“He’s a champion this horse. He’ll go down in the record books now – god I love him.”
The outstanding eight-year-old has raced on 65 occasions for 17 wins and 13 minor placings and earnings of almost $3 million.
That is an outstanding return on investment for connections considering he cost just $36,000 from the draft of Anita Vale Stud at the 2004 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.
Dan Morton’s father, accomplished horseman Len, signed for the son of Scenic at the Belmont Park based auction.
Morton Senior trained Scenic Shot’s full sister Flight Path during her classy career – victory in the Magic Millions Perth 3YO Trophy one of her highlights.
They are two of the three winners produced by the stakes performed Dr Grace mare Sweepshot – a five time winner and earner of over $100,000.
The latest yearling from Sweepshot, a colt by Blackfriars, was purchased by Damon Gabbedy’s Belmont Bloodstock Agency for $180,000 at February’s 2011 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.
Winner: Scenic Shot (Scenic-Sweepshot)
Race: BRC Doomben Cup G1 (2020m)
Sold for: $36,000
Sale: 2004 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale
Vendor: Anita Vale Stud
Buyer: Len Morton
Earnings: $2,978,855
Owner(s): Mr DL Morton, Mr EA Galante, Mr MR Tartling, Mr TC Bunter, Mr FF Fairthorne, FF Fairthorne, Mr P Duffield & Mr GR Roberson
Trainer: Daniel Morton (Ascot)
