Shinn strikes a winner with first ride

Back to the scene of his race fall on Lexus Melbourne Cup Day last year, Shinn returned a winner at Flemington aboard a spring staying prospect with the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Nearco Frod ($2.50 favourite) in the TAB We're On (2500m).

'On' Shinn was as he pushed the five-year-old out for a 1¾-length victory over Urban Outlook ($21) and Our Chief ($2.70).

"The legs have pulled up a little but sore which is a understandable but it is such a great feeling," and emotional Shinn said.

"It has been a bit of a journey, but it is nice to be coming home a winner and not in the back of an ambulance.

"To get the support of all the leading trainers and owners and I've had to ensure that I'm ready for today with a great team who have helped me in the recovery.

"First ride back a winner so it is special. Hopefully it is the start of a great season."

Though the margin was respectable, the way the gelding run out the distance was impressive enough which brings bright hopes for the stable towards a possible start in the Group 3 Lexus Archer Stakes (2500m) on September 12, which is a golden ticket race into the 2026 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m).

"I'll have to thank my great mate Craig Williams for going on holidays," Shinn said after the filling in for the ten-time Melbourne premier jockey who is in Ukraine.

"He's a promising horse and was adaptable on the dry today."

Nearco Frod notched his third win in succession after two wins at Sandown.

"When he arrived with us he was a young horse," Calvin McEvoy said.

"We have a nice preparation with him but he has really come on. He had to tick the Good track box as that was the query for me as he'd been winning on heavy nines.

"He was dynamic there on a Good 4.

"To win three in town is a good effort and it is lovely to provide Blake Shinn with his first winner."