Shellscrape Gets His Deserved Group One

Winner: Shellscrape (Dane Shadow-Kisma)
Race: AJC Galaxy Stakes G1 (1100m)
Sold for: $40,000
Sale: 2007 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale
Vendor: Kitchwin Hills (As Agent)
Buyer: Vin Cox Bloodstock
Earnings: $710,500
Owner(s): GL & Mrs M Grimish & GJ & Mrs LM Loiero
Trainer: Chris Waller (Rosehill)

ShellscrapeClassy sprinter Shellscrape has been credited with a deserved Group One win following a stewards inquiry in Sydney today.

Ortensia has been stripped of her win in the Group One Galaxy Stakes at Randwick on April 17 after an inquiry into her returning a positive swab.

Stewards, fronted by chairman Ray Murrihy, disqualified the mare and promoted Shellscrape to first place – followed by Swift Alliance (2nd) and Styker (3rd).

The win made history with Shellscrape the first Group One winner for his sire, the Kitchwin Hills based Dane Shadow.

Shellscrape had prior to the Galaxy also won the Group Two Roman Consul Stakes, Group Three San Domenico Stakes and listed Australia Post Stakes.

His record is enhanced to now read out at six wins and nine minor placings from 21 starts and earnings of over $710,000.

Shellscrape was purchased by leading Sydney based bloodstock agent Vin Cox for $40,000 at the 2007 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale at the Gold Coast.

ShellscrapeKitchwin Hill’s Mick Malone was glad the result of the inquiry had finally been announced over four months after it was run.

“It’s been a long wait,” he said. “It’s a very deserved Group One win and we’re glad the horse has been recognised now.”

“Shellscrape has form around so many of the great horses – horses like Starspangledbanner and Headway.”

“And that day in the Galaxy he copped a check as well as was pretty unlucky and the margin wasn’t much on the line.”

Malone said the result would help Dane Shadow continue his rise through the siring ranks.

“We’re really excited about his future,” Malone said. “Now is certainly the time to be considering Dane Shadow.”

“Last season he served his best ever line up of mares – mares like Eskimo Queen, Dan Baroness and Shady Stream – the dam of Takeover Target and Predatory Pricer.”

Shellscrape“Each crop has been better for Dane Shadow. His crop who’ve just turned two are from better mares, they’re nicer horses, there are more of them and they are with better trainers.”

“He’s really getting the recognition he deserves – and we’re certainly looking forward to the next couple of seasons.”

Malone said his team is looking forward to January’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

“We’re looking at having our biggest ever draft for the Gold Coast,” he said. “We have some serious yearlings set to head north.”

Today’s announcement of the amended Galaxy result enhanced the outstanding 2009/10 racing season for Magic Millions graduates.

Some 5,214 races in Australia were won last season by graduates of Magic Millions sales and those wins collected for their connections well over $84 million.