6 Apr 2024Genuine six-year-old Here To Shock doubled his stakes tally with a sterling performance to land the G3 Victoria Handicap at Caulfield.
The Ben, JD and Will Hayes-trained son of Shocking’s victory in the feature event was full of merit as he had to overcome the outside gate in the 1400 metre feature.
Second-up after a resuming third in the defence of his Echuca Cup title, the Cambridge Stud graduate unwound powerfully for Daniel Stackhouse in the run home to earn his eighth win with a Listed Golden Mile success also on his record.
“He’s a horse that enjoys his races spaced and it was a great ride from Dan from the wide gate,” Will Hayes said.
“I was really confident at the top of the straight, he had relaxed so well.
“He’s a horse that will continue on for races like the Winter Championship (Listed, 1600m), there’s lots of options for him.”
Here To Shock was taken back to beyond midfield and when he let down in the straight was in a league of his own.
“He deserved that win, he’s ultra consistent and we had to take our medicine from the gate,” Stackhouse said.
“He travelled well and really accelerated off the corner to put them away.”
Here To Shock carries the colours of syndicator Slade Bloodstock, who purchased him at Karaka for $70,000.
Bred by the Sunlight Trust, he is out of the Lonhro mare Frescoes and is a half-brother to Listed winner Turn The Ace.