An inch-perfect ride by Mark Zahra has aided warhorse Here To Shock to add another stakes win to his belt as the Group One winner defeated the fast-closing Persian Spirit in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Prepared by the Lindsay Park team of Ben, Will and J D Hayes, the eight-year-old gelding lumped 60kgs as he notched career win number 14.
Zahra went straight to the front on the son of Shocking and had most of his rivals gasping rounding the final bend and was game as always as he staved off Persian Spirit, with more than four lengths to third-placegetter Big Swinger.
The win now sets up another tilt at slot race the A$1 million The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham on December 13, a race Here To Shock won last season.
“It was a great ride by Mark. He really helped him out of the gates, got him to relax, got him into a lovely rhythm,” Ben Hayes said.
“The little bit of give helped him too. Carrying topweight, and giving a big kick like he did, it’s just a big thrill. Well done to the team and he’s been a great horse for the ownership group. We’ve had a good run with him and it’s good to get another win for them.”
Here To Shock has felt the full effects of winning the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) last season and has either taken on elite company or carried big weights this spring.
“He got punished a little bit for winning the Group One over in New Zealand and he’s now carrying topweight in every race he goes to,” Hayes said.
“He was running against some very good horses and we just thought we would freshen, miss the Flemington carnival and look to target a race like this. The plan is to go to the $1 million race, the Supanova. He’s definitely put his hand up for that.”
Here To Shock has now had 42 starts for 14 wins, nine placings and A $2,972,005 in prizemoney.
Syndicator Rob Slade went to $70,000 to purchase the then colt out of the Lonhro mare Frescoes from the 2019 Cambridge Stud yearling draft at the Book 1 Sale at Karaka. Bred by The Sunlight Trust, Here To Shock is a half-brother to Listed winner Turn The Ace, who is also a prolific winner with nine career victories. – NZ Racing Desk
