Nathan Berry medal leading hoop Blake Shinn enjoyed an upset win in the second at Royal Randwick aboard Gary White’s outside hope Generalissimo in the South Pacific Classic 2017.

Jockey Blake Shinn rode Generalissimo to victory in the South Pacific Classic 2017 on Day 2 of The Championships at Randwick. Photo: Steve Hart.

A smart field of three-year-olds took to the track for this year’s $150,000 Listed South Pacific Classic (1400m) including Dream Ahead gelding Generalissimo back up to 1400m after a tough Golden Slipper Day run.

The honest galloper raced on the Heavy (10) Rosehill course on March 18 and was far from disgraced finishing a mid-field fifth behind Derryn in the Listed Darby Munro (1200m) with Craig Williams riding.

On Queen Elizabeth Stakes Day Shinn took over in the saddle of Generalissimo whose previous best result was a third to subsequent Hobartville Stakes winner Man From Uncle in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) in early February.

“The horse did a great job,” Shinn said post-win on Saturday.

“He came off that run on a really wet track on Golden Slipper Day and was coming back a little bit in grade back over the 1400m.”

Generalissimo was a big improver in the South Pacific Classic enjoying a slightly firmer Heavy (8) track and return back up to 1400m, flashing home late down the inside to take out the race at a nice price.

“I found him really nice to handle,” Shinn added.

“Gary told me he was going to give me a lovely ride and we came in with a little bit of confidence.”

The horse put himself into a nice position in running back off the pace as the field was led around by Alliterate followed by Kris Lees’ last start Newcastle winning Savabeel filly Rosa Carolina.

The favourite in the markets Hussterical meanwhile took the sit in third just ahead of the consistent Red Hearts who dropped back to get cover in fourth.

At the very tail end of the field with 600m left to travel meanwhile was the Jason Coyle-trained Myboycharlie filly Siren’s Fury on a rain-affected track in the Albury Guineas (1400m).

The field really bunched turning for home, with the favourite Hussterical behind the front runners sweating on a run that never came.

Rosa Carolina briefly hit the front, while the runners from the back came to challenge including the John O’Shea-trained duo of Bryneich and Peacock.

Flashing home along the fence though was the eventual South Pacific Classic winner Generalissimo who narrowly got the money after a gutsy fight over the final 50 metres with Rosa Carolina.

Rosa Carolina – ridden by Christian Reith – lunged right on the line, but it was too late.

The trifecta was rounded out by Siren’s Fury in a lovely performance from last-to-third.

“It’s great for Gary,” Shinn said.

“Winning a race on Day 2 of The Championships. He will get a great thrill.”

Check out the latest odds on Winx for later on the Royal Randwick race card this afternoon now at Ladbrokes.com.au as Day 2 of The Championships continues.

2017 South Pacific Classic Results & Finishing Order

Randwick Race 2 – 08/04/2017