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Shinn thrilled to be back aboard Najem Suhail at Flemington

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Champion jockey Blake Shinn is aiming to return to race riding in style after a month out, partnering Najem Suhail in the Listed Kensington Stakes (1000m) for training pair Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock at Flemington on Wednesday.

Shinn – who was suspended in November – will have his first ride back since November 18 on Celestial Storm in race two for Griffiths and de Kock, and he’s excited to be partnering their talented sprinter in the feature event on a day of straight track racing.

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“He’s a very good horse, and very well suited down the straight,” Shinn said of Najem Suhail, who he piloted to victory at Pakenham in December last year.

“He’s jumped out well since his last run, he looks well placed.

“I always like riding for Robbie and Mathew, they are a great stable to always be linking up with, they’ve always been good to me.

“I’ve got a couple of rides for them tomorrow and the stable is in good form. It would be nice to ride a winner or two for them.”

Shinn has been sure to use the enforced lay-off to his advantage, seizing the opportunity to reset and recharge.

It bodes for a fresh and firing Shinn heading into a summer campaign that will see him based in Queensland ahead of the Magic Millions in January, he will also jet across to New Zealand for Group 2 tilt aboard exciting filly Molly Bloom on Boxing Day.

“I’m always hungry to be riding winners,” he said.

“Each jockey is different, when I got the suspension I just had to use it as a break, reset and look it as a positive as opposed to a negative – that’s the way I’ve approached every suspension.

“The body is feeling good, I’ve kept myself pretty much up to the mark, weight has always been an issue so I haven’t let myself go too much, I’ve had enough of a refresher to allow myself to feel like I’ve had a break.”

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Griffiths and de Kock are eyeing a second consecutive stakes win for Najem Suhail, who has won six races from 15 career starts, and has two wins over 1000m on the Flemington straight.

“He’s going well, he’s coming off a last-start win and he’s had a trial since, he galloped well and his form is terrific over that distance and at the venue,” Griffiths said.

“We are upbeat thinking he’s a winning chance again, he’s up more in the weights again but not a great deal in comparison to everything (else).”

The training pair are deploying a two-pronged attack on Wednesday’s sprint feature, with veteran sprinter Halvorsen – who has previously defeated race favourite Malkovich – also lining up with Andrew Mallyon aboard.

“Halvorsen has been a grand old horse, he probably lacks a bit of spark over the 1000m dash these days,” he said.

“But he loves the track and he always goes well in those races, realistically he’s probably going to be a better chance in the Standish Handicap in January.”

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December has been fruitful for the Griffiths and de Kock training combination so far, with the in-form pair notching a Group-race double at Caulfield on December 2 with King Magnus (Group 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes) and Serasana (Group 2 Sandown Guineas).

It was a particularly memorable day for Griffiths, who was already celebrating his wedding anniversary with wife Shiranee.

“I got two presents that day, a good day at the races and I’m still married,” he said.

“The team is going well, I’ve got to pay for the Santa bill so it’s worked out quite well.”

Originally published as Star jockey Blake Shinn returns for Kensington Stakes meeting at Flemington after month lay-off

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