Blake Shinn set for second crack at Darwin Cup

Tom Walter - Wednesday August 2

In another coup for the Darwin Turf Club, top Sydney jockey Blake Shinn will join Perth's William Pike at the 2017 Darwin Cup meeting on Monday.

Blake Shinn. Photo: Steve Hart

Murray Bridge trainer Michael Hickmott has secured the services of Shinn for Unbreakable in the $200,000 Darwin Cup (2000m), days after it was announced that Pike would ride stablemate Lieder.

Shinn's first and most recent Darwin Cup experience was in 2014 when finishing third aboard former Sydney-based galloper Cantonese.

Hickmott, who is chasing his fourth success in the Fannie Bay feature, has booked another interstate rider for this other runner, Wexford Town. Jarrad Noske, runner-up in last season's Perth Jockeys' Premiership, will partner the former Irish stayer.

Other Sydney jockeys to have ridden at the Darwin Cup meeting in recent years include Hugh Bowman and Tommy Berry.

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