James Shaw would love nothing more than to take the Group 2 McKenna Memorial trophy with him when he returns to New Zealand for a brief visit next week.
Shaw, 25, is hoping to celebrate the second anniversary of his Trans-Tasman relocation in style when Know Danger (pictured), which like his young trainer hails from the Shaky Isles, contests the McKenna Memorial (595m) at Sandown Park on Thursday night.
“I’m going back to New Zealand next week for a few days to see my family and friends and it would be nice to take a trophy with me!” Shaw said.
After completing a science degree Shaw relocated to Australia in July 2013 and he’s been working for successful Victorian trainers Jeff Britton and Angela Langton, while also making a name for himself in his own right.
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“I bought my first dog in my second year at university and it just went from there,” Shaw explained.
“After my third year at uni I came over to Australia for the summer holidays and did some work experience with Jeff and Angela. Then after I finished university I came back over for another three months but in the back of my mind I was always going to stay for a lot longer.
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“I’ve met a girl, Molly Haines, so I think I’ll be staying over here for a little while!” he added with a laugh.
“I’m going back to New Zealand next week for a few days to see my family and friends and it would be nice to take a trophy with me!” – JAMES SHAW
Shaw enjoyed almost immediate success in Australia last year with multiple Group 1 finalist Know Class.
He guided Know Class to the finals of the Albion Park Gold Cup, finishing second to champion Xylia Allen, and the Sandown Cup, while he also qualified for the final of the Hume Cup but was scratched after suffering a hock injury.
“Know Class went back to New Zealand and was in a Group 1 race over there last Friday. He turns five in October so he’s been a superstar,” Shaw said.
“He was one of the first dogs I trained and he could end up being one of the best dogs I ever train.”
Shaw was hoping his McKenna Memorial finalist Know Danger would follow a similar staying path to Know Class when he crossed the ditch in February, but while he was first reserve for the Sandown Cup in May his form over the longs was below par.
In fact, he’d won only one of his 17 starts in Australia before an impressive 34.29sec victory in his McKenna Memorial heat last Thursday, the second fastest qualifying performance behind Lady Toy (34.06sec).
“Early on he was very disappointing; to the point that I was thinking about sending him back to New Zealand,” Shaw said.
“He just took a while to settle in and it was a step up in opposition.
“The original plan when he came to Australia was to run him over 700. He’d won over 645m in New Zealand in pretty good time and I thought he’d get the 700 on the faster tracks over here but he was struggling a bit.
“Thursday night will be his toughest test so far but he’s worked really well this week and I’m happy with the draw (box eight). I think he’s a decent place chance and if things go his way he’s a chance to win the race.”
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