Cox Plate hero Shamus Award was represented by his first winner on Easter Monday.

Mookareena tracked the leader on debut and had enough in reserve to score by a half-neck in the in the Patrick Scorse Hcp (1000m) at Wagga.  She is the first foal of Doomben winner Puerto Vallarta (Flying Spur) and cost $40,000 at the 2017 Gold Coast Magic Millions.

The Barb Joseph-trained 2yo filly is one of five starters to date for Shamus Award who is based at Widden Stud.  He joins fellow Snitzel freshman Sizzling (Newgate Farm) whose first-crop includes Canberra’s Lightning Ridge Stakes winner Sizzling Belle.

Shamus Award downed a field of seasoned Group 1 stars in the 2013 Cox Plate and then became the first horse to complete the Australian Guineas double at Flemington.

“He was a seriously good 2yo and then created history as a 3yo winning two of the most competitive Group 1 races on the calendar,” trainer Danny O’Brien said.  “With his speed and determination, he’s everything you look for in a young stallion.”

Widden stood Shamus Award for a $22,000 service fee last year.

MOOKAREENA