First Stakes-Winner for Shamus Award

Widden Stud’s Cox Plate winner Shamus Award posted his first stakes-winner on Saturday when progressive three year-old Classic Weiwei took out the Listed SAJC Port Adelaide Guineas over 1800 metres.

The Tony McEvoy trained gelding had looked good in easier races at Balaklava and Gawler and handled the rise to Black Type company with ease. He zoomed home from a long way back in the field for Barend Vorster to win by a long neck

The Group I SAJC South Australian Derby (2500m) next month is a likely target for Classic Weiwei, who is making rapid progress this preparation.

Classic Weiwei was a $230,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Little Wych draft for McEvoy Mitchell Racing and has now won three of four starts earning over $86,000 in prizemoney.

Bred by Fran Ovenstone, Classic Weiwei is a half-brother to Group I winner and $1.3 million earner Mourinho and Group III winner Molto Bene so is the third stakes-winner from terrific producer Benevolent, who has left six winners from seven runners.

Benevolent has a weanling colt by Sebring .