With the betting wide open for The Group 1 Galaxy, Shelby SixtySix stood up above the rest to get over the top late and win the $1m Rosehill Contest.
In a close finish with In The Congo and Big Parade Shelby SixtySix was able to build on his fighting finish with Eduardo in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes and The Group 3 M.Mcarten Stakes to win a maiden Group 1 having only been racing in Highway Handicap’s just a month earlier.
Williams, clearly excited about the prospects of his new sprint stable star, outlined two possible races for the five year old including a potential interstate trip.
“We will have a meeting with the rest of the owners to determine whether we pay up the late entry fee for the TJ Smith – that is certainly now on the cards,” Williams told Radio Tab on Sunday.
“I know how difficult it is and the things that can happen if you stop horses and try to mollycoddle them and try and look after them, then things can go wrong.
“I think while he is enjoying what he does and pulling up well he will continue to race and if he is coming through races as well as he did yesterday, you might even see me up there in Queensland for the Stradbroke.
“The future is very exciting but it could now be very difficult to try and place him in the future.
“So I think for the short term we are looking at continuing his preparation and keeping him running.”
After racing on five consecutive Saturdays – and eight times in nine weeks – it will be a rare day next Saturday when Shelby Sixtysix isn’t seen at the races.
“Unfortunately he is weighted out of races next week so we can’t run him next Saturday,” Williams quipped.