Blake Shinn has landed a major blow in his quest for a fourth Melbourne jockeys’ premiership with a riding double at Sandown.
Shinn went into the midweek meeting with a five-win lead over arch-rival Carig Williams.
But after scoring on Cinematic Star for Ciaron Maher and Bewitchery for Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin, Shinn finds himself seven wins in front.
Four of Williams’ rides were raceday scratchings and that frustration was further compounded when he was narrowly beaten on Leaving Las Vegas in the opening race.
There are two more Melbourne metropolitan meetings left in the 2024/25 season with Williams chasing his 10th title and Shinn attempting to reclaim the crown he won in 2022/23.