Shima Shine Stages Topgun Blitz

SPRINTING megastar Shima Shine has claimed a well overdue Group 1 victory with a spectacular win in the Group 1 TAB Topgun (525m) at The Meadows on Saturday night.

Contesting the invitation event just four days shy of his third birthday, Shima Shine led from go to whoa in the $150,000 to-the-winner flagship to finally lay claim to a breakthrough Group 1 triumph.

This time last year, trainer Andrea Dailly and owners David Gleeson and Bob Cummings were left lamenting after Shima Shine was considered a tragedy beaten when finishing sixth to Get It Gizmo in a rough and tumble 2019 Topgun.

But 12 months on it was a very different story, the son of Barcia Bale claiming the showpiece event in a flying 29.67, defeating Simon Told Helen by 2 1/2 lengths with a fast finishing Christo Bale in third.

For Team Dailly, Shima Shine's Topgun triumph was their second win in the great race following Fernando Bale's epic success in 2015.

"He's had a few things go wrong but he's right tonight and he showed them what he can really do," said delighted co-trainer George Dailly.

"You can't knock the dog. He's got two track records (Ballarat 450m and Bendigo 425m) and he could have held four. He's a serious dog. As fast as anything we've ever had – it's off to the Melbourne Cup now."

Beginning with gusto from box two, Shima Shine started third favourite at $5.10, landing group race glory at his seventh time of asking.

His sizzling 29.67 winning time was an equal personal best at The Meadows circuit, the win extending the regally bred sprinter's record to 25 wins from 40 starts with prize money earnings of $368,434.

"He was in this race last year but he got seriously hurt at the first turn and he wasn't the same dog for six months," George Dailly explained.

"It took forever to get him right but he's come good and he's racing well again.

"Things haven't worked out for him but they worked out good tonight.

“Hopefully now he can really go on with it and chalk a few big wins together.

“You see that sometimes, after they land one big win the next few can follow pretty quickly.”