The Jason Clifford trained Shinka returned to form with an agonisingly close second to Undervalued, in the 1400m Examiner Handicap, on Launceston Cup Day. 

Ridden by premier jockey Brendan McCoull, Shinka made a late charge along the rails to narrowly miss what would've been an amazing win.

"I thought she had got there on the line", said McCoull who had an unusually quiet day.

Shinka defied the racing pattern of the day which had appeared to be strongly favouring the leaders.

"Shinka has been racing well, but without any luck, I was confident she could win today all things being equal and we got beaten by a whisker", said Clifford after being called the winner. "But to make ground late was still very impressive", he went on to say.

"I hope she continues to race in this form, a win can't be far away". 

Shinka flies late along the rails

Photo courtesy of Bill Hayes Photographics