Monday 13th July 2015
Hunter Valley horseman Shane Tritton has joined a small group of 
trainers to have prepared 200 Australian winners in a single season. Victorian trainer Andy Gath was the first to achieve the feat in 2002/03 and since then only seven other trainers have reached the milestone. Mickey McRooney was the stable’s 200th winner for the season when he won at Newcastle on Saturday night.
Tritton became the fourth NSW trainer to enter the ‘200 club’ joining Paul Fitzpatrick, Luke McCarthy and Steve Turnbull.
“I was very happy, it was a great result for the entire stable – the owners, the staff, Lauren (Panella regular driver) and Mum, we work very hard but after reaching 200 winners it makes all of the hard work worthwhile,” Tritton said.
“For the next week I will remain in Queensland with the 30 or so horses that I have up here and I will look to come home after the meeting at Albion Park this Saturday night, there are still a few races that I would like to target in Queensland and some horses may stay up here but the majority will go home.”
Tritton is already eyeing off 200 NSW winners for the season and is confident that he will be able get the thirteen winners he needs in his home state.
“I’ve got 187 winners in NSW with the other fourteen coming in Queensland but I think I should be able to get 200 back home with over a month of the season still remaining.
“I’ve had a few owners who have contacted me and told me to spell their horses until the new season which will coincide with Lauren hopefully returning from injury but I’ll just wait and see what happens when I get home.”
Talented four year old Yayas Hot Spot is expected to race on Saturday night in the Four Year Old Championships after finishing last in the Sunshine Sprint.
“Saturday night should be easier than his last start and I think I have him back on track so I’m expecting him to perform a lot better.
“I’m planning on starting Fearless Leader this weekend and a couple of my mares also.”
Three year old filly Katy Perry had little luck in Saturday night’s Gr. 1 Queensland Oaks and can head to Victoria for the Breeders Crown.
“I’ll weigh up where to go with Katy Perry, she was unlucky on Saturday night and is a very classy filly, I’m very happy with her but I think it proves how important good barriers are especially in feature races.
Tritton confirmed Lauren Panella will meet with her specialist again this week as she continues her recovery after breaking eight bones in her left wrist and hand.
“She will be going back every week to see the specialist, the scenario we are working towards is for her to make a comeback in the new season but that will all be decided by the doctors, it is out of our hands.”
Greg Hayes
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