After a thrilling run in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth up in Sydney, where he finished 4th behind Dubai Honour, Mo’unga and Anamoe, Hezashocka has returned home to Victoria and will take his place in the Mornington Cup over 2400m on Saturday.
Only tried at the 2400m distance once in the 2021 Queensland Derby, the 5yo has proven to be a most competitive galloper over the last few months. Finishing second in the Rosehill Cup in the spring, followed by a 3rd place in the G1 Champions Stakes beating both I’m Thunderstruck and Anamoe, has certainly raised the bar for his future racing ambitions.
The gelding has worked well at Cranbourne’s deep sand track since his return from Sydney and had a gallop on Tuesday morning with Blake Shinn in the saddle, who will take the ride on Saturday.
“He’s a big long striding horse and I’m hoping we can go forward in the race and give him a chance to travel without having him held up. I’m very excited to see him over the 2400m at Mornington, I told Blake to just give him a good time and ride him like the true stayer that he his. If he can have a nice run throughout the race I think he could be right in the finish and it would be an exciting race for him to win.”, says trainer Mick Price in a pre-race update to owners.
Hezashocka comes into the race 4th up as a very fit racehorse and despite the outside barrier should be most competitive in Saturday’s Mornington Cup.
See the full field and all race details here.
He is a horse that deserves a big win after running so close behind some of the best in the country.
Best of luck to all connections!