They are closing on 100 wins together, sitting on 88, and return a profit at an even stake but they wouldn't care about that. They just enjoy each other's company and getting horses to win together.

''We have a great partnership,'' Shinn said. ''He has been great for my career in the last two years. He has brought the best out of me as a rider.

''Guy and his wife Wendy have taken me under their wing a bit and they are like my family in Sydney.

''It has really helped me. I can't speak highly enough of him as a person and a trainer.''

Walter said Shinn's willingness to work hard and be part of his team made him irreplaceable.

''He is obviously a top-class jockey and we are very lucky to have him,'' Walter said. ''He is very dedicated and he likes to go everywhere to ride and he just gets to know all my horses. It is a huge asset for me as a trainer.''

It is not unusual for Shinn to drive to country meetings for Walter and the rewards also come on the big days, with mares such as Streama in last year's George Main Stakes and Appearance in the Coolmore Classic a year ago.

''We both get great satisfaction out of getting winners anywhere, whether it's in the country, provincial or group 1,'' Shinn added. ''We treat every horse as an individual and we try to get the best out of every single one.''

Zanbagh has caught the eye of Shinn and Walter. She was the VRC Oaks runner-up in the spring, but it was her win in the Keith Nolan Classic at Kembla Grange last time out that has them excited.

''She is going to be one of the flagbearers for our stable in years to come,'' Shinn said. ''I have got faith in her as a horse. I know what she can do. It was a big ask for her to win at 1600 metres and she came through it with flying colours.

''Good horses can do that and they go on to win [ATC Australian] Oaks. She stamped herself as a top-class racehorse with that win.''

Zanbagh hit the line hard at her first couple of runs after a spell but it was the nature of the Kembla win that has Shinn and Walter bubbling.

''I think potentially she is a very good stayer,'' Walter said. ''She has got stamina and she showed she has enough brilliance to win there at the mile at Kembla last start.

''She had to make a couple of runs there in a muddling-run race and it was a quality win.''

Shinn expects the 2000m of Saturday's Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill to be perfect for Zanbagh, but she has to overcome the outside barrier and maybe a wet track.

''She is going great, all her runs this time have been fantastic, 2000m is right up her alley,'' Shinn said. ''The barrier is a bit of a concern and the rain might be coming but her breeding says that will be to her advantage.''|

There was one concern with Walter opting to put bar plates on her in front. ''She is a bit worn in her heels and the farrier was a bit concerned she would run into trouble with them,'' he said. ''We put the [bar plates] on as a precautionary thing.''