First Winner for Shamus Award

Barbara Joseph and Paul Jones’ highly regarded filly Mookareena looked the consummate professional in winning the two year-old handicap over 1000 metres at Wagga Wagga on Easter Monday to give Shamus Award his first winner.

In contrast to her recent barrier trial where she lobbed along at the tail of the field before rounding them up with a minimum of fuss, Mookareena was always in the leading division for Mathew Cahill before pulling clear at the 200 metres.

She then holding off the fast-finishing Red Rock Stella to win by a half-neck in an encouraging debut.

Bred by Riverdene Stud, Mookareena was consigned to the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Holbrook Stud.

She was knocked down to Joseph Jones Racing for $40,000.

The daughter of Shamus Award is the first live foal of Brisbane winning Flying Spur mare Puerto Vallarta who is a half-sister to 16-time winner Mukareena, who was runner-up in the Group III Black Opal Stakes.

Cox Plate hero and Australian Guineas winner Shamus Award has only had a handful of starters to date, the son of champion stallion Snitzel covering 157 mares last spring at a fee of $22,000.