Shamus Award answered his critics with a stunning all the way win in the Australian Guineas at Flemington.

There were still some discussion about, before the Guineas, whether he should he have been accepted as a maiden to run in the Cox Plate.

That has long been a contentious issue, surely that is long in the past, the monkey is at least off his back now, he has answered his critics 

Shamus Award was devastating in the Guineas, he gave those that dared to challenge him a good old fashioned short back and sides by leading all the way.

It was similar to a re run of the Cox Plate, except the winning margin was much greater, whether he will tackle Fiorente in the Australian Cup next Saturday will surely be the talking point in racing circles this week.

Shamus Award winning Austra;ian Guineas

“We have the option of the Australian Cup next week or the Alister Clark Stakes in two weeks at Moonee Valley, he will then have only two runs in Sydney, the Rosehill Guineas and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes,” said Danny O’Brien.

David Payne, trainer of Criterion, was pleased with the run of his colt; the Rosehill Guineas and Australian Derby are firmly entrenched in his fourth coming program.

Eurozone will also follow a similar program, with James Cummings believing there will be more give in the ground at Randwick.

Danny O'Brien and Craig Williams