Shocking made a triumphant return to his home track this afternoon with a barnstorming win in the Group One $1 million Australian Cup (2000m).
With the crowd still cheering following the win of Bel Esprit mare Black Caviar just over half an hour earlier it was the turn of another crowd favourite to star.
Shocking didn’t let his fans down – coming from last at the turn to turn in one of the best come from behind wins seen at Flemington for some time.
The win capped a double for trainer Mark Kavanagh and owners Laurence and Prue Eales following the success of their other star Whobegotyou in a thrilling Blamey Stakes earlier in the day.
The smile couldn’t be wiped from the face of Kavanagh who after a frustrating run of luck was soaking up another big race win.
“The last three years I’ve had four favourites (for the Australian Cup) but have never got to the post,” Kavanagh said.
“I suppose I’ve been waiting for the good bit.”
“He (Shocking) grows another leg at Flemington and half way through the race, when the pace was right on, they were carving it out pretty well, I thought – he’s going alright, he’s going alright.”
Kavanagh said Shocking was on track for a Sydney campaign. He would head to the Group One BMW (2400m) via the Group One Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill next Saturday.
Winning rider Corey Brown was delighted with the success and relieved considering during the week he might miss the race after a freak accident in the stalls at a recent barrier trial session.
“To be honest after riding on Wednesday I didn’t think I was going to get here,” Brown said after the race.
“Lucky I’ve got a good chiropracter back in Sydney – he pushed four ribs back into the position they needed to be.”
Brown is a big fan of Shocking – not surprising considering the two have now combined to win Melbourne’s feature spring and autumn cups.
“He’s just a perfect racehorse – he’s great – my favourite racehorse,” Brown said of Shocking.
“Full credit to Mark and his staff,” Brown added.
“They’ve done a super job and it’s good to get him back into winning form.”
“BMW here we come,” he summed up.
Shocking, winner of the 2009 Melbourne Cup, boasts seven wins from 27 starts and earnings of almost $5 million.
That is remarkable considering he cost Laurence Eales just $64,000 at the 2007 Magic Millions National Horses in Training Sale.
He was purchased from the draft of Washpool Thoroughbreds after he was pin hooked by that team from Ilala Stud for $45,000 at the 2007 Magic Millions Premier (QTIS 600) Yearling Sale.
Recent Magic Millions Perth 3YO Trophy winner and proven Group One winner Playing God ran a bold race to finish third – splitting the pair was the Lloyd Williams owned Linton.
Shocking is by Darley’s leading international sire Street Cry – who is also the sire of today’s Blamey Stakes winner Whobegotyou – a stablemate of Shocking.
Winner: Shocking (Street Cry-Maria Di Castiglia)
Race: VRC Australian Cup G1 (2000m)
Sold for: $45,000
Sale: 2007 Magic Millions Premier (QTIS 600) Yearling Sale
Vendor: Ilala Stud
Buyer: Washpool Thoroughbreds
Sold for: $64,000
Sale: 2007 Magic Millions National Horses in Training Sale
Vendor: Washpool Lodge
Buyer: Eales Racing
Earnings: $4,981,275
Owner(s): Eales Racing Pty Ltd
Trainer: Mark Kavanagh (Flemington)
