Blake Shinn opted to cop a HK$75,000 fine rather than a three-meeting suspension for careless riding on Thursday and the Australia is confident he can justify his decision by finishing the season strongly.
Shinn had the biggest month of his Hong Kong career in April with six winners and has kept things ticking over since as he continues to build his support.
“I elected to take the fine because I’ve built up some good momentum in the past couple of months and I just want to try and end the season strongly,” he said.
“I’ve ridden a couple of doubles since I came back from my latest suspension when I got four meetings and I’d prefer to cop the fine and try and bag a couple of winners before the season ends.
“Who knows what might happen – if I can ride some winners from some stables I haven’t ridden them for it might help set me up for the new season.”
Shinn partners a couple of exciting gallopers at Sha Tin on Sunday on a day when four of his seven rides come from 11-time champion trainer John Size.
Matthew Poon rides roller coaster, weighing in light before winning feature
The pair has had three winners from 20 attempts this campaign and it is a relationship Shinn hopes will continue to grow.
“Mr Size has been a good supporter since I’ve been in Hong Kong. We won the Classic Mile with Excellent Proposal and ran fourth in the Derby,” the jockey said.
“I haven’t had a huge amount of rides for him but he’s been a good supporter both seasons that I’ve been in Hong Kong and I’ve ridden a couple of winners for him.
“I feel our relationship is getting stronger and he’s having more confidence in my riding, which hopefully shows on the weekend by giving me four rides.”
Shinn jumps aboard two undefeated second-starters for Size – Toronado Phantom in the Pearce Memorial Challenge Cup (1,200m) for Griffins and Dashing Fit in the Class Four Li Cup (1,200m) on the all-weather track.
Shinn replaces Chad Schofield aboard Toronado Phantom, with the 27-year-old unable to stick with the three-year-old French import after saluting on him back in May because he is sidelined with chickenpox.
“It’s unfortunate for Chad but I’m delighted to have been given the opportunity. He looks an exciting prospect, he won his first start very impressively and he’s had another trial since so hopefully he can keep going,” Shinn said.
Shinn piloted Dashing Fit to a debut victory as a $16 chance over the same course and distance as Sunday’s contest and is confident the four-year-old has plenty of improvement to come.
“His trials in the lead-up to his first run indicated he was pretty effective on the dirt so John decided to go that way and he did a great job,” Shinn said. “I think he’ll be better for the experience and he looks a good chance.”
Shinn also partners Panzerschreck and Zone D for Size, as well as Brave King for Tony Cruz, the Francis Lui Kin-wai-trained Super Oasis and David Hayes-trained debutant Helene Allibor.
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