Shawn Mathrick, the Cranbourne conditioner, has repeatedly succeeded with Godolphin discards throughout his career.
Corniche represents Mathrick’s most recent acquisition, set to race again for him in the VOBIS Gold Sprint (1200m) on Caulfield’s track this Saturday.
With 14 outings for Godolphin yielding two victories alongside James Cummings and Ciaron Maher, the gelding secured second in the Listed Abell Stakes (1200m) at Cranbourne February 27.
The effort was the gelding’s return from a September hiatus last year, pleasing Mathrick who had feared the worst at the horse’s stable entry.
“I was worried we he first came, and thought ‘I’ve done my brass here’, but it’s taken a bit of work and he’s thriving at the beach,” Mathrick said.
“He’s got some knee issues. His action was terrible when he came to me and we’ve been doing a lot of beach work with him.
He galloped on Monday, and he worked the place down.”
Various former Godolphin horses have trained under Mathrick, who treasures memories of Adirondack and Gig, from whom he has bred.
“They pretty much tell what it is with their horses is,” Mathrick said of Godolphin.
“They’re pretty honest about it.
My old man used to say they don’t lose their ability, so there must be something going on and this horse got beaten a length-and-a-half by Joliestar one day and got flattened twice in the straight and then powered home.
He’s definitely got the ability and softer tracks, with his knees, would be better for him, but I’ll let him go around on Saturday and then see if we have to back off.”
In his novice stages, Corniche was placed in the Blue Diamond Preview and Prelude, captured the Group 2 Magic Night Stakes, and the Group 3 Sunshine Coast Guineas.
That Sunshine Coast Guineas score was in May 2024, with minimal races since for Corniche.
“I’ve been picking my mark when I gallop him,” Mathrick said.
“I’ll only gallop him on the grass and when we’ve had a bit of rain, but his action was faultless on Monday.
The Goodwood in Adelaide, it might be a good race for him, so we’ll see how he is.”
Fans should check the racing betting markets available for the VOBIS Gold Sprint featuring Corniche.
