Here To Shock (NZ) Shines in Golden Mile

A bargain buy at Karaka 2019, Here To Shock (NZ) (Shocking) took his career earnings past A$450,000 with a strong win in Saturday’s A$200,000 Listed Golden Mile (1600m) at Bendigo.

Here To Shock was bred by the Sunlight Trust, and he was bought for only $70,000 by Slade Bloodstock from Book 1 of Karaka 2019. The five-year-old has now had 19 starts for seven wins and two placings, earning A$464,690 for a big group of owners.

Saturday’s Golden Mile was his first win at stakes level, and it came less than half an hour after his stablemate – and fellow Karaka graduate – Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) landed the A$4m Group One The Star Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick.

With trainers Ben and JD Hayes in Sydney overseeing that blockbuster triumph, the stable was represented at Bendigo by Dom Rhoden.

“It’s a great thrill for the whole team,” he said. “It’s been a big half-hour, and we couldn’t be happier.

“This horse gets his rating up now with a stakes win. There’s not a great deal left for him now at this time of year, so it might be a good chance to reset him for the spring. We could possibly look at a few of those handicap races in the spring.”

Here To Shock brought solid form into Saturday’s race, having won at Sandown on February 11 and again at Echuca on March 12. He produced more of the same at Bendigo, capitalising on a rails run from jockey Daniel Stackhouse and sprinting stylishly to burst to the lead inside the final 150 metres and win by a length and a quarter.

“I can’t thank the guys enough,” Stackhouse said. “The boys are doing a fantastic job, winning the Doncaster, while us battlers over here at Bendigo are doing our best. So thanks to them, and it’s good to have a good crowd here at Bendigo.

“This horse’s racing manners are getting a lot better, he’s switching off in those early stages and it’s definitely paying off for later.”

Vendor	Cambridge Stud
Purchaser	Slade Bloodstock (Victoria)
Breeding	Shocking – Frescoes
Sale	Lot 48, Karaka 2019 Book 1, $70,000
Bred by	The Sunlight Trust

 

Photo: Brett Holburt Racing Photos