Jockey Mitch Aitken has predicted an exciting campaign ahead for first-up specialist Shalimar Moon.
The four-year-year old mare resumed with a narrow but convincing win in Thursday’s Bet365 BM58 Hcp (1106m) at Ararat despite the track conditions being against her.
She won in similar fashion first-up last campaign when she landed a long neck maiden victory on rain-affected ground at Seymour in June last year.
Mitch said that while Shalimar Moon won at Ararat on the good 3 surface, she preferred softer tracks.
“She took a bit to get there today but that was because the track was so firm,” Mitch said.
“We found a nice spot in the race (fourth) and the one’s to follow were those in front of me,”
“She travelled beautifully and did a good job to tough it out and get the win.”
Shalimar Moon ($11) and runner-up Banana Split ($16) claimed the leader and favourite Innocent Enuff ($2.90) in the closing stages with a photo deciding the winner.
By Woodside Park sire Shalaa, Shalimar Moon is from More Than Ready mare Romantic Moon.
Owners Hirsch Racing purchased Romantic Moon for $200,000 when she was carrying Shalimar Moon at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale in May 2020.
Shalimar Moon has had her issues in the past and only had three runs last campaign before being spelled.
A recent Geelong jumpout win suggested she was ready to run boldly first-up.
Trainer Vin Malady said Shalimar Moon would benefit from her Ararat win.
“She is not fully wound up at the moment and she will be fitter next start,” Vincent said.