Champion trainer Gai Waterhouse has enjoyed a day to remember at Caulfield on Saturday.

For the second time this Spring, Shumookh claimed Group 2 glory taking out the $350,000 Tristarc Stakes just a month on from winning the Golden Pendant.

Likewise, jockey Tim Clark rode his second winner of the day after steering Thinkin’ Big to a win in the Ladbrokes Stakes. 

In what appeared to be a very strong field of runners, Clark’s instructions from Gai were to lead early, a plan he executed to perfection.

“Tim does the miles, he comes to the track very regularly, he’s very much part of Adrian and my team, he understands the horses, she was coming back in trip and we knew if we were back in the field that she would make it harder” Waterhouse said after the race.

Jumping well alongside Prompt Response to sit up on the speed, Shumookh found an extra gear close to the straight with Booker breathing down her neck.

Waterhouse’s four-year old mare showed a brilliant turn of foot two starts prior in the Golden Pendant, and after running a disappointing fourth in the Group 3 Angst Stakes last start, it appeared Shumookh rediscovered her speed.

“Good to see her bounce back,” Clark said.

“She just got softened up a little bit last start at the mile at Randwick, in the last little bit she got gobbled up but back to the 1400 she’s rock hard fit, she really improved nicely underneath from the 600 and made sure I was making her really chase her round the bend to try and get me, she ran through the line strongly.”

Winners of the Tristarc often go on to contend the Myer Classic two weeks later at Flemington, and as it just so happens, Group 1 glory is in Shumookh’s blood.

“We’re just praying to the boss that she lets us run her in the Myer, I’ve always believed that she could run a Myer,” Waterhouse said.

“I trained her Mum, it’s very special to all of us.”

Out of three-time Group 1 winner Shamekha, a step up to Group 1 level appears to be on the cards for Waterhouse’s mare.

Following Saturday’s win, Shumookh has firmed from $21 into $10 for the Myer at Ladbrokes.