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It’s a fine line between going fast enough on a leader to get control and slow enough to give yourself every chance and Blake Shinn rode that line to perfection on Trapeze Artist.

Shinn took the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) by the scruff of the neck early and established his lead from the 1200m-1000m running 10.96.

Punter’s Intelligence data shows he then backed off a little with 11.05 (1000m-800m) before rolling again and picking up the pace.

Trapeze Artist ran 10.89 then 10.82, 10.95 which put the result beyond doubt so it didn’t matter that he clocked the slowest final 200m of the race of 11.65.

It meant runner-up Shoals conceded 10m at the 400m but Shinn had timed his run to perfection. He ran a track record time in front so running him down was impossible.

While all honours to Shinn and Trapeze Artist, be forgiving of Pierata. He may have finished fifth but he was ridden cold in a race that didn’t ultimately suit those tactics.

Pierata clocked 32.92 for his last 600m, 0.2 faster than any other runner, so there’s no doubt he’s come back in good order.

A points decision to the fillies in the two-year-old races looking at Tenley versus Yes Yes Yes.

Tenley stopped the clock at 1:08.34 in the Reisling Stakes (1200m) while Yes Yes Yes ran 0.06 slower in winning the Todman Stakes (1200m).

The fillies put the first 600m behind them in 34.56, the colts and geldings in 34.79.

Add that to the overall time and Tenley’s last 600m of 32.99 compared to Yes Yes Yes running 33.04 while there’s not a lot between them you’d have to give the nod to the fillies.

Plenty has already been written about The Autumn Sun’s amazing effort to win the Group 1 Randwick Guineas from an unlikely position.

At the 300m the colt was 20m behind Fundamentalist and by the 200m he’d only cut it to 14m but he flashed the final furlong in 0.52 faster than the runner-up.

The official final 600m of the Guineas was 36.18 – The Autumn Sun clocked 33.94 or some 12 lengths or so better.

It’ll be interesting to see if The Autumn Sun heads to the Rosehill Guineas (2000m) because most would be looking at Madison County as a big chance out in distance after his slashing fourth.

It’s easy to miss him with all eyes on The Autumn Sun but the Kiwi galloper ran a slick 34.16 and his last 200m of 11.55 was just 0.04 slower than the winner.

Trope was thrown in the deep end in the Fireball Stakes (1100m) and came out the other end stamping himself a talent of the future.

At just his second start he came from last and went around the field while the winner Prophet’s Thumb weaved through. Trope covered an extra 4.4m than the winner and ran 32.15 for his last 600m, 0.13 faster.

His current racing style isn’t conducive to winning all the time but he’s going to make the grade.

Sydney Cup contender Shraaoh had the flashing light on in the Randwick City Stakes (2000m) and he’s only going to get better as the distances increase.

The overall last 600m of 35 seconds is solid for a 2000m race and the import ran 33.68 – he was the only horse in the race to break 11 seconds from the 400m-200m (10.93) and his last 200m was clearly superior at 11.43.

Fastest last 600m: Viridine 31.98

Most ground covered (to win): The Autumn Sun (+12.2m).

Don’t miss Punter’s Intelligence with Gerard Middleton and Brad Gray on Sky Thoroughbred Central at 7pm Tuesday.

Click here to download the Punters Intelligence app.