Shinn picks up plum Winter Challenge ride

Tuesday 29 July 2014, 3:42pm

Blake Shinn has wasted no time securing important rides for his first week back in the saddle after an end-of-season suspension and overseas holiday.

With Tye Angland booked for one of Chris Waller's entries, Shinn has been confirmed as the rider for nominal Winter Challenge favourite Scream Machine at Rosehill on Saturday.

And Shinn's riding comeback has been further boosted with his booking for Cantonese, one of the main fancies to win the $200,000 Darwin Cup on Monday.

Shinn and close friend Peter Robl spent almost two weeks in the United States, hitting Las Vegas and taking in racing at Del Mar.

They were key figures in helping Wendy Walter maintain a string of racehorses trained by her late husband Guy Walter.

But their trip came soon after Wendy decided wind up the training operation after racing at Rosehill on July 5 where Shinn rode a farewell winner for the stable.

"It was probably one of the most toughest times of my life but winning on I've Got The Looks on my last ride for Wendy I think that will probably go down as one of the most memorable times of my life for a lot of reasons," Shinn told Sky Sports Radio.

"It was just a special moment. Not for just me, but for everyone involved."

Shinn, who will complete the 2013-2014 national premiership with a top 10 finish, has a small but select Rosehill book.

He will renew acquaintances with the Peter Moody-trained Weinholt, a rising four-year-old he rode to win at Randwick on July 12.

Weinholt will clash with Rock Sturdy, the Joe Pride-trained galloper who promises to be a one of Hugh Bowman's better mounts as the high-profile jockey returns to Sydney racing for the first time since the end of April.

Rock Sturdy was narrowly beaten by the richly talented Cluster when he resumed at Rosehill on July 19.

Bowman will ride the Waller-trained Eigelstein in the Winter Challenge.

Scream Machine heads weights on the Listed race with 59kg from Coup Ay Tee (58.5kg) and I'm Imposing (57.5kg).

– AAP

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