OTI’s most recent Kiwi import, Hezashocka, is in great order ahead of his run in the $600,000 Group One Queensland Derby on Saturday.
Accompanied by part-owner and his former co-trainer Emma Clotworthy, the lightly raced three-year-old has settled into his Queensland surroundings and pleased all in a course-proper gallop earlier in the week.
“He’s got an amazing set of lungs, the way he covers the ground, he’s just an out and out good stayer,” said track-work rider Jordan Grob following the gallop.
The high praise for the gelding was echoed by Mick Price, who went on to say, “he’s got a motor in there and a beautiful set of lungs in him.”
HEZASHOCKA taking in the sunrise this morning ahead of his Group One Australian debut this Saturday @BrisRacingClub pic.twitter.com/4grAVrJkw0
— OTI Racing (@OTIRacing) May 25, 2021
The Price & Kent stable, along with Hezashocka’s former trainer Emma Clotworthy, have changed as little as possible with the gelding, opting to keep him on the same feed regime and a similar work schedule to what he encountered across the ditch.
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr duo are no strangers to OTI kiwi imports; they also train the Shocking gelding I’m Thunderstruck, who won impressively at Caulfield earlier this year.
Hezashocka will be looking to add to OTI’s rich history of Derby success. We have previous success in this event through Brambles in 2012 and have taken out other key Australasian Derbies with Vin De Dance in the 2018 New Zealand Derby, Kibbutz in the 2007 VRC Derby and more recently with Quick Thinker’s 2021 Australian Derby.
While we expect to see Hezashocka reach his full potential in the spring and continue throughout his four-year-old campaign, we are most excited to see him line up in Saturday’s Group One Queensland Derby.
We look forward to a bright future with our co-owners in Clotworthy Racing, the Price and Kent Stable and all connections!
