Here To Shock (NZ) Hits New High

Super-consistent Karaka graduate Here To Shock (NZ) (Shocking) took his career earnings to almost 10 times his purchase price with a bold win in Saturday’s A$200,000 Group Three Victoria Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield.

Here To Shock was bought by Slade Bloodstock for $70,000 from Cambridge Stud’s draft in Book 1 of Karaka 2019. He has now had 27 starts for eight wins, five placings and A$684,180 in stakes.

The Victoria Handicap was a new career high for Here To Shock, who had previously won the Listed Golden Mile (1600m) at Bendigo and had placed in the Group Three Sandown Stakes (1500m).

Patiently ridden by Daniel Stackhouse from a wide gate, Here To Shock showed a slick turn of foot in the straight to come from well back in the field, burst to the lead and win by half a length. It was a notable contrast to many of the six-year-old’s previous victories, which had come after racing on or near the pace.

“He deserved that win,” Stackhouse said. “He’s been ultra-consistent and he tries his best every time he goes out there.

“We just had to take our medicine today from that gate. The pace was on, and he travelled lovely and gave me a sweet ride. He really accelerated off the corner and put them away nicely. It might be a new way to ride him.

“He’s a good galloper and he can really let go. He’s maturing and learning to switch off and settle a bit better. Early on in his career, he was very keen and you couldn’t really slow him down. Now he’s a lot more versatile.”

Here To Shock is a half-brother to fellow stakes winner Turn The Ace (NZ) (Turn Me Loose), who was a $30,000 purchase from Karaka 2020. A half-sister by Trapeze Artist was bought for $120,000 at Karaka 2024 in January.