OTI’s liking for the progeny of Shocking is well known and we hope to see a Shock result in the G1 Champions Stakes on Saturday, with two sons of the sire headed to the barriers in what is set to be an epic race.
Many believed I’m Thunderstruck would be headed to the paddock following his incredible run in the Cox Plate, but the gelding keeps surprising with his great form and recovery. Training duo Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr decided to add a sixth Group 1 race to his preparation and start him in the 2000m weight-for-age event.
‘Thunder’ will be given the opportunity to turn the tables on Anamoe, who has relegated him to 2nd place in both his past two race starts in the Might And Power and, more recently, the Cox Plate.
However, the surprise addition to the race was another son of Shocking in Hezashocka, also trained by the Price/Kent partnership. After running a very strong second last start in the Rosehill Gold Cup, unlucky to have missed out on the win, the gelding has been given another crack at Group 1 level.
It is a big ask of Hezashocka to step up against the countries best over 2000m at WFA, but Price says “He loves the track and is very good over the distance. Obviously it is a very hard race for him, but he is a good horse.”
We are sure the anticipation for Saturday’s race will grow over the next two days and we look forward to having two Group 1 contenders on the day!
See the full field and all race details here.
Best of luck to all involved.