Here To Shock earns Epsom and Big Dance spot
Well supported in betting and with the confidence of the Hayes training trio for their galloper to perform well, Here To Shock has earned a ballot exemption at Newcastle for the Epsom Handicap and qualification for the $3 million The Big Dance at Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day.
Starting as the $3 favourite and ridden by Nash Rawiller, Here To Shock outstayed a gallant effort from Matcha Latte ($9.50) to win the Group 3 Cameron Handicap (1500m).
Prior to the win, the seven-year-old was equal 29th in the order of entry for the Group 1 Epsom on October 5 but is now guaranteed a start in the $1.5 million highlight run over the famous Randwick mile.
However, it is The Big Dance run at the same distance that has the attention of co-trainer Ben Hayes.
“He relaxed beautifully for Nash and he (the horse) gave a great kick,” Hayes said.
“We’re very excited that he’s qualified for The Big Dance and our racing manager alerted us to this being a qualifier.
“Hopefully we’ll be heading in that direction.”
Earlier, Chris Waller snared his sixth victory in the Newcastle Gold Cup with a former Irish galloper who edges closer to Caulfield and Melbourne Cup aspirations.
Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy with the relatively lightweight of 54-kilos in Friday’s 2300-metre $300,000 event, Etna Rosso ($3.40 fav) had been allocated 50-kilos in both feature Cups in Melbourne.
Now with the anticipation of a penalty from Racing Victoria handicapper David Hegan, the four-year-old stood at equal 77th in the order of entry for the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 19, and equal 85th towards the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 5.
The wider spaces of the Newcastle circuit suited the gelding better than the tighter Wyong track where he finished fifth in the Listed Wyong Cup (2100m) a fortnight earlier.
This win gave McEvoy his third in Newcastle’s annual feature.
Also, five-year-old Terra Mater ($3.40) notched a second black-type victory in the Group 3 Tibbie Stakes (1400m) for fillies and mares.
Smashing past the $600,000 mark in prizemoney, the mare notched her eighth career victory.
Also ridden by Nash Rawiller, the mare continued the remarkable run for connections after they purchased her in an online sale in 2020 for $1,750.
More Racing News
Charlotte Littlefield takes aim at the VOBIS Gold Distaff
Regal Vow will always be a standout horse for Charlotte Littlefield, having provided the Pakenham-based trainer with her first ‘Black Type’ victory. Her success in the Listed Lord Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield Heath on Boxing Day last year was a career highlight for Littlefield until She’s Bulletproof surpassed it with a...
Ajax Stakes next for Willaidow
Trainer Marc Conners is confident that now is the right time for his improving gelding Willaidow to take on bigger challenges, with hopes of securing a spot in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile by winning the Group 2 Ajax Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday. The six-year-old has had only eighteen...
Zardozi gets another look at Caulfield
The Godolphin stable is hopeful that a step up in distance at Caulfield will work in Zardozi’s favor as she continues her preparation for her main autumn target at Flemington. The James Cummings-trained mare had a track gallop at Caulfield on Tuesday morning in the lead-up to the Group 2 Peter...
Silent Surrente stars in the G2 Adelaide Cup
Silent Surrente delivered a career-defining victory for star apprentice jockey Rochelle Milnes, taking out the Group 2 Adelaide Cup (3200m) for local trainers Will Clarken & Niki O’Shea at Morphettville on Monday. Milnes, riding the $10 chance with betting sites, found herself posted wide early but maintained a steady rhythm with...
Todman Stakes winner out of G1 Golden Slipper
The racing season has come to an early end for Tentyris, as trainers Anthony & Sam Freedman confirmed the promising colt sustained an issue following his dominant win in the Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m) at Randwick. “Tentyris was found to be lame after his impressive win in the Group 2...
Pateman repays faith after Glasgow Lass victory
It was mission accomplished for trainer Mitchell Pateman at Ascot on Sunday. The pressure valve has been released. His exciting filly Glasgow Lass earned black type status for the first time with victory in the Listed Ascot 1000 Guineas (1800m). Rebounding after two unlucky runs to kick off her campaign, Glasgow Lass won...
Esperance Cup delivers funding boost to surf lifesavers
The Esperance Cup made waves beyond the racetrack this year, with the Esperance-Goldfields Surf Lifesaving Club receiving a significant funding boost to enhance its facilities and equipment. The local community rallied behind the lifesavers, raising $2235 through car marshalling, donation collections and raffle sales. Racing WA matched the funds raised through...
Blue Diamond winner still on G1 Golden Slipper path
Blue Diamond Stakes victor Devil Night remains on course for a potential start in the Golden Slipper, with co-trainer Michael Hawkes confirming the colt is back in their Rosehill stable and progressing well. The talented juvenile generated plenty of discussion at Randwick on Saturday as two of his former rivals—Tentyris, the...
Revelare to chase ballot exempt ticket into Melbourne Cup
Five-time winner Revelare is ready to step up in trip as he prepares for his toughest test yet—a 2400m handicap at Caulfield this Saturday. The Robert Hickmott-trained gelding has been in outstanding form, notching up five consecutive victories after kicking off his campaign with a runner-up finish at Seymour in December....
Key rider bookings for Maher in the 2025 Adelaide Cup
Ciaron Maher is no stranger to success, but the Adelaide Cup remains one of the few major trophies missing from his collection. On Monday, he will aim to change that with two contenders, Promises Kept and Goldenstatewarrior, in the Group 2 3200-metre event at Morphettville. Blake Shinn and Michael Dee have...
