Winner: Shocking (Street Cry-Maria Di Castiglia)
Race: VRC Makybe Diva Stakes G2 (1400m)
Sold for: $45,000
Sale: 2007 Magic Millions Premier (QTIS 600) Yearling Sale
Vendor: Ilala Stud
Buyer: Washpool Lodge
Sold for: $64,000
Sale: 2007 Magic Millions National Horses in Training Sale
Vendor: Washpool Lodge
Buyer: Eales Racing
Earnings: $4,143,525
Owner(s): Eales Racing Pty Limited
Trainer(s): Mark Kavanagh (Flemington)
Shocking’s defence of his Melbourne Cup crown looked on target today when he stormed home to win the Group Two $405,000 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.
A graduate of Australia’s premier breeze up sale, the Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale, Shocking extended his unbeaten Flemington run to four when he charged down the middle of the track to score.
The reigning Melbourne Cup winner is now a clear cut favourite for this year’s running according to updates which will be re-opened shortly.
“When the market opens again he will be a clear cut favourite,” Luxbet.com’s Stephen Brassel said. “It was about $15 the field prior to today’s race and you’d think he’d be into $7.”
“He was very impressive,” Brassel said.
In winning Shocking sent his earnings soaring past the $4 million barrier – not bad for a $64,000 purchase for owner Laurence Eales at the 2007 Magic Millions National Horses in Training Sale.
Trainer Mark Kavanagh admitted to being a little surprised that the Street Cry entire was able to win and win so well.
“Amazing,” Kavanagh said. “I guess you had to be there.”
“It was a hard ask really – but he’s unbeaten at Flemington and he’s going better than he was last year.”
“But I did think it was a bit of a hard task – second up over a mile here.”
Kavanagh has no doubts that Shocking is a better horse than 12 months ago. Not surprisingly connections are excited about his campaign.
“He’s lightly raced. He’s 12 months older and there’s no doubt he’s come back better.”
“He’s really switched on now – he was messing around last year. He’s fair dinkum now.”
Kavanagh said he had no definite plans for Shocking as he continued his Cup defence – but didn’t rule out a crack at the Cox Plate.
“We’ll try and keep him to Flemington as much as we can.”
“The Cox Plate is on the radar. He’s probably not a flash Moonee Valley horse – but gee whiz he’s going well.”
Stable jockey Michael Rodd was also impressed with the win and said he was looking forward to his spring campaign.
“We’ve said right along that he’s come back sharper,” Rodd said. “He’s a different horse and he’s really switched on.”
“He knows what his job is and he showed that today. He was always travelling nicely.”
“Once I pulled him out he had that nice turn of foot and he kept going. He’s four from four here at Flemington – he loves the place.”
“It’s pretty exciting, I can tell you!”
Shocking, bred by George and Felicity Fraser of Ilala Stud,was originally sold to Washpool Lodge for $45,000 at the 2007 Magic Millions Premier (QTIS 600) Yearling Sale.
The Washpool Lodge team then sold him to Laurence Eales for $64,000 that October after he breezed up at the Gold Coast Turf Club.
Eales wasn’t at Flemington today – he was back in his hometown of Cairns enjoying their famous North Queensland Amateurs Carnival.
The outstanding son of Street Cry is one of five winners produced by the Danehill mare Maria di Castiglia.
She is a daughter of the stakes winning Don Roberto mare Macrina Pompea.
