b'109556THE WILLIAMSTOWN CUP, 1933 gold cup, engraved Won By F.E. SHILLABEER & S.E. BAILEYS, SHADOW KING, Ridden By A. E. BREASLEY made by THOMAS GAUNT of Melbourne,stamped T. GAUNT & Co. 15ct, blackwood base also bearing Gaunts makers mark,34cm high overall, 404 grams gold weight.Shadow King was a different kind of champion to the immortals of his eraPhar Lap, Peter Pan and Hall Markeach of whom deprived him of a Melbourne Cup victory. He was a hero for the courage, consistency and endurance he showed on the racetrack. He was a celebrity because of what he did next. He was a bay gelding, son of the 1910 Melbourne Cup winner Comedy King, trained by Elwood Fisher at Flemington until 1935, and then by Roy McCormick at Mentone. Shadow King was small for a thoroughbred, but full of spirit.His racing record was impressive by any measure. Shadow Kings top class wins in more than 100 starts included the 1929 VRC Hotham Handicap (todays Lexus Hotham Handicap), the 1930 Moonee Valley Cup, the 1930 Coongy Handicap and the 1931 Herbert Power at Caulfield, and the 1933 Williamstown Cup (the Zipping Classic), the gold cup on offer here.But his racing fame rests on his record six unsuccessful Melbourne Cup quests. He finished sixth the first timebehind Nightmarch, Paquito and Phar Lapbefore four second or third placings in the next four runnings of the big race. At his final appearance, after a years break, he finished a close fourth.Here is his tally:1929 Sixth (ridden by Jack OBrien) behind Nightmarch1930 Third (Pat Tehan) behind Phar Lap and Second Wind1931 Second (William Scanlon) to White Nose1932 Third (Ernie Baxter) behind Peter Pan and Yarramba1933 Second (Scobie Breasley) to Hall Mark1935 Fourth (Scobie Breasley) behind MarabouBy the end of his turf career at age 10, he had become Old Shadow to the public, cheered at every appearance. His final race was at Flemington, unplaced in the Bagot Handicap, New Years Day 1936.Adapted from Shadow King - The Subzero of the 1930s by Dr Andrew Lemon.$25,00035,000556'