Shock Shock is a filly that has kept improving each week since her arrival from New Zealand. We sometimes use that description too much, but in this case, it is absolutely true.
By Rich Hill Stud’s SHOCKING, Shock Shock is raced by a group of great clients put together by Ian and Karyn Lewis. Like many of Shocking’s progeny, she took her time to come to hand early in her career, but part-way through her three-year-old season it became clear that she was going to win some races, such was her progression.
On Monday at Donald, Shock Shock backed up her very good first-up performance a few weeks before, with a victory that had merit and suggestion that more are wins are to come.
Nigel purposefully started her campaign off over 1200m all the way back at Pakenham in late June. She was travelling a little too keenly in her gallops and jump outs, so a shorter race was chosen to ensure good race tempo and to teach her to settle a little better. She did that, and finished off the 1200m race in fine style.
She was entered for two Pakenham meetings in July, with both being abandoned due to high wins. But as they say, patience is a virtue. The extra time between races allowed Nigel and track riders to settle her further, and step her up to the distance of 1350m at Donald on Monday. It worked perfectly.
Special thanks to Damien Thornton who did his research on the track condition and his opponents. He discussed his plan with Nigel to have Shock Shock comfortably positioned mid-field, three-wide with some cover. This allowed her to remain in the best part of the track rounding the corner and when Damien asked Shock Shock for the supreme effort, she delivered.
Congratulations to all connections both in Australia and New Zealand. Shock Shock is a rising 4yo mare who can be placed well in raced around the 1400-1600m distance range in late Winter, and perhaps further later on in her preparation. She certainly continues to improve.
