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QUICK Shakes has convinced his Ballarat trainer Simon Morrish that 1600 metres is his distance.
An emphatic performance on Ballarat Cup Day yesterday almost certainly silenced any future discussion on the matter.
Quick Shakes ($5) reinforced his liking for the trip and the track by charging away by more than three lengths in the $30,000 Redbank BM78 Handicap, 1600m.
The five-year-old was headed at the top of the home straight after taking up his favourite role in front, but fought on to assert his authority on the race. Chateau Fort ($12) ran into second, with Crawfish ($15) a close third.
This gives Quick Shake five career wins for more than $60,000 in earnings, with three of the victories over 1600m in Ballarat.
Morrish said post-race he had erred in pushing Quick Shakes out to 2040 metres at Moonee Valley at his previous start and had not hesitated dropping back to the 1600m.
He said coming back in distance had meant he was strong to the line. Morrish described Quick Shakes as a “real fighter” and his effort could not have reflected this any more than it did.
Morrish said it was a great result - a win on Ballarat Cup Day with all Ballarat owners.
He said he had no special plans for Quick Shakes, but a return to city company was a likely scenario.
WINNERS are grinners and the rest can please themselves.
This is not always the case.
Ballarat trainer Keith Carnes was all smiles after Oh Teary Me produced a big finish for a close second in the Ballarat City Mazda 0-62 Handicap, 1200m.
Appreciating the sting out of the track, the five-year-old mare finished just a few strides behind the Darren Weir-trained Planet King.
Oh Teary Me has developed a real liking for her home track, with each of her three lifetime wins being at Dowling Forest.
Oh Teary Me gained a start after being second emergency.