Here To Shock (NZ) Too Tough in Testa Rossa

The class and courage of battle-hardened Karaka graduate Here To Shock (NZ) (Shocking) shone through with an outstanding weight-carrying performance in the A$175,000 Listed RM Williams Testa Rossa Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

It was the 14th win in a 42-race career for the gelding, who has placed on another nine occasions and has earned over A$2.97m – almost 50 times the $70,000 that Slade Bloodstock paid to buy him from Cambridge Stud's Book 1 draft of Karaka 2019.

Here To Shock had a career-best campaign as a seven-year-old last season, winning four races including the Group One BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa, the A$1.5m Alan Brown Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill, the A$1m Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham and the Group Three Cameron Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle. He also ran second in a photo finish to the Group One Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick.

The eight-year-old had struggled to find his very best form through the early part of the spring, recording only one placing from his first four starts. But he lined up at Caulfield on Saturday after a one-month freshen up, and he was right back at the peak of his powers.

Despite having to carry 60 kilograms against a talented field, Here To Shock pushed forward and dominated the race from the front. He gave jockey Mark Zahra everything he asked for and kicked hard in the straight. He had a big lead for most of the run home, then dug deep to hold out the late-finishing favourite Persian Spirit (Cable Bay) by a short head.

“I thought his best chance was to let him bowl along in front,” Zahra said. “He had been racing against some of the better horses, racing in behind them, so I just let him be happy. He got out well, cruised along in front and when I asked him at the 600 (metres) he gave me a good feel, and then again at the 400, and then we just had to hang on for grim death in the last 200 metres, but he was able to do so.

“Full credit to him with the 60 kilos, he deserved the win.”

Here To Shock is trained by Ben, Will and JD Hayes.

“It was a great ride by Mark,” Ben Hayes said. “He really helped him out of the gates, got him to relax, got him into a lovely rhythm.

“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.

“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. 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 $1m race again, the Supernova. He’s definitely put his hand up for that.”