It was a wonderful welcome back for Glyn Schofield, but a complete blow-out for punters, as the outsider of the field Yonkers (USA) claimed the Group II Ned Whisky Shannon Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
In a driving finish the son of Medaglia d’Oro (USA) defeated Discharged (Snitzel) by a head with a half-neck back to Reloaded (Snitzel) in third.
Waller said the win came as a surprise.
“He’s a talented horse whose never really disappointed us. He’s done a great job,” Waller said.
“Guy Mulcaster bought him in America. He had his first few runs in Ireland then made his way to Australia and he’s certainly earning a name for himself.
“Well done to Glyn Schofield. He’s been a real workhorse over the past six weeks and even before that on his fitness levels to get back on a horse has been a courageous performance. He deserves it.”
Schofield said it is great to be back and feeling healthy.
“I am pain free for the first time in a long time. I suppose that does sort of help me get back on the horses and being able to do you best,” Schofield said.
“I rode one through the week and now to ride one on the Saturday is even better. Got a couple of rides left so you never know.”
Trained by Ger Lyons in Ireland, Yonkers finished second at his second start behind the future Epsom Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck over a mile at Killarney.
Purchased by Mulcaster Bloodstock for US$575,000 at the 2017 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Selected Yearlings Sale, Yonkers advances his record to nine wins, five seconds, and five thirds from 30 starts with earnings of $637,846.
He is the best of four winners from five to race out of the dual Listed Stakes winner Anne Of Kiev (Oasis Dream).
Yonkers (USA) becomes the 155th stakes-winner for the former Darley shuttler Medaglia d’Oro (USA).
