Karaka Bargain Buy Wins G2

Media Release - Saturday April 24

Legendary former Ellerslie commentator Keith Haub savoured one of the highlights of his long career in racing when Karaka bargain purchase Hezashocka scored a stunning upset in Saturday’s Gr.2 Trelawney Stud Championship Stakes (2100m) at Ellerslie.

An iconic voice of the Auckland track for more than two decades until his retirement in 2004, Haub has also celebrated a number of ownership successes along the way – most notably with six-time Group One winner McGinty.

Hezashocka causes a massive upset as he takes out the Gr.2 Trelawney Stud Championship Stakes (2100m) at Ellerslie. Photo Credit: Trish Dunell

But he ranked Saturday’s Championship Stakes, in which Hezashocka defied a quote of $75 to score by a nose, as one of the very best.

“What a thrill,” Haub said. “I’ve been lucky enough to stand on the dais a few times over the years, and raced some fantastic horses, but it’s been a long time between drinks. This is probably one of my greatest moments in racing.

“I’m just so grateful to the Clotworthy family for inviting me to be involved and giving me a share in this horse.”

It was also a special moment for winning co-trainer Shaun Clotworthy, who pointed to Haub’s near-lifelong association with his father Kim.

“Haubie’s been like a second father to me,” he said. “It’s great to win this race for him, as well as a number of other really good friends who are also in the ownership of this horse. It’s a fantastic result.”

The Championship Stakes was only the third start of Hezashocka’s career, having finished second on debut at Pukekohe on March 12 and fifth at Ellerslie three weeks later.

After settling in midfield in Saturday’s three-year-old feature, Hezashocka and apprentice jockey Masa Hashizume angled out into the centre of the track as the field rounded the home turn.

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As others began to labour in the testing Slow9 ground, Hezashocka surged forward and hit the lead with 200 metres to run.

Last-start Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2000m) winner Joy Alone dived at him late to force a photo-finish, but Hezashocka clung on to his narrow advantage.

“We were planning to target this race before he’d even started in a race,” Clotworthy said. “It’s not often that a long-range plan like that comes off.

“Coming into today as a maiden, you couldn’t really say we were confident. But he’s bred to stay and we decided to have a crack at it. That was a big performance today, and we’re very happy to get this result for such a great group of owners.”

By Shocking out of the Brilliance mare Shezakiwi, Hezashocka was bought by Clotworthy for $18,000 at Karaka in 2019.

Runner-up Joy Alone finished three-quarters in front of the South Island visitor Milford Sound, who ran third and collected his third black-type placing of the season.

The Championship Stakes was also the first black-type win for Hashizume, who had been unplaced in all of his seven previous rides in stakes company. – NZ Racing Desk.

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Race Result - Championship Stakes Gr2 2100m

Ellerslie Track: Slow(9) Time: 2:18.45
1
Hezashocka
- 3g Shocking (AUS) x Shezakiwi (NZ) (Brilliance (USA))
Tnr: S & E Clotworthy Rdr: M Hashizume 56.5
2
0.1
Joy Alone
- 3f Roc De Cambes (NZ) x Optimum Note (JPN) (Park Regent (CAN))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: D S Johnson 54.5
3
0.9
Milford Sound
- 3g Ocean Park (NZ) x In The Rain (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: Andrew Carston Rdr: S T Collett 56.5
4
1.0
Lowry
- 3g Roc De Cambes (NZ) x Alezan (NZ) (Duelled (AUS))
Tnr: Team Rogerson Rdr: L H Satherley 56.5
5
1.2
Tony Be
- 3c More Than Ready (USA) x Miss Portofino (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: S D Cole Rdr: A J Calder 56.5
6
1.5
Wertheimer
- 3g Tavistock (NZ) x Wild About Me (NZ) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: A R Campbell Rdr: A C Goindasamy 56.5
7
3.2
Lavita Vishvi
- 3f Savabeel (AUS) x Daisy Chain (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: N W Tiley Rdr: S C Spratt 54.5
8
6.4
Daqiansweet Junior
- 3g Sweet Orange (USA) x Paulette (NZ) (Keeper (AUS))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: O P Bosson 57
9
11.2
Zoltan
- 3g Iffraaj (GB) x Ebony Babe (NZ) (Ebony Grosve (NZ))
Tnr: K Rae & K Williams-Tuhoro Rdr: T L Newman 56.5
10
12.4
All Black Bourbon
- 3g Highly Recommended (AUS) x Airflight (NZ) (Golan (IRE))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: L J Allpress 56.5
11
13.4
Clique
- 3f Savabeel (AUS) x Baradevi (NZ) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: T Yanagida 54.5
12
13.6
Four Queens
- 3f Tavistock (NZ) x Diamond Deck (NZ) (Octagonal (NZ))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: M J Mc Nab 54.5
13
18.8
Ember Attack
- 3g Jimmy Choux (NZ) x Dancing Embers (NZ) (Istidaad (USA))
Tnr: P P Mirabelli Rdr: T D Thornton 56.5
14
23.2
Tavidora
- 3f Tavistock (NZ) x Osmunda (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Ms M Falconer Rdr: J J Fawcett 54.5
15
24.8
Fast Willie
- 3g Teofilo (IRE) x Remind Me (GB) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: L O'Sullivan & A Scott Rdr: C J Grylls 56.5
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