Shocking Stayer Wins Again at Flemington

Media Release - Saturday August 6

Horrifying’s golden run of form continued at Flemington on Saturday where he produced another determined performance to narrowly get the better of fellow New Zealand-bred Through Irish Eyes in the Rose Room (2530m).

 Craig Williams guides Horrifying to victory at Flemington Photo credit: Bruno Cannatelli

The five-year-old son of Shocking has responded positively since trainers Mark and Levi Kavanagh have elected to position the talented stayer more prominently, with the tactical change now resulting in Horrifying winning three of his last four starts.

Tavistock gelding Through Irish Eyes had looked unlucky at his previous start when coming off a sedate tempo to finish runner-up to Horrifying.

However, despite that galloper taking a surprise role on-tempo on Saturday, the result proved the same, with Craig Williams deriving the best out of Horrifying to narrowly deny Ethan Brown on the runner-up after a stirring home-straight battle. 

“It was fantastic and a great ride by Craig. We didn’t think we would get it as easy as we did last time and that certainly was the case,” Levi Kavanagh said.

“He took a sit and rode him perfectly and it was a really strong and solid effort to finish off in the final stages.

“There’s another 2500m race here in a few weeks’ time so if he is up and about and we’re happy to continue on with him, we might see him here again.

Advertisement

“He’s really come into his own this preparation especially. We have been spacing his runs and keeping him happy and at this stage he is showing us that he is in top order.

The gelding was bred by Rich Hill Stud’s Alan Galbraith and was purchased at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $70,000 by Lawrence Eales, who raced his dual Group One-winning sire Shocking.

The winner of five races from 25 starts with a further seven placings, Horrifying advanced his career earnings to $484,002, and the improving stayer was amongst the nominations for both the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m)

Horrifying is out of the Red Ransom mare Zelt, who has a two-year-old filly by Shocking and made a return visit to the stallion last season, and she won a brace of middle-distance events in Australia.

Zelt is a half-sister to stakes performer Exchanges and is from an international family that features the Gr.1 English 1000 Guineas (1600m) winner Cape Verdi. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - The Rose Room Hcp 2530m

Flemington Track: Soft(6) Time: 2:44.61
1
Horrifying
- 5g Shocking (AUS) x Zelt (AUS) (Red Ransom (USA))
Tnr: Mark & Levi Kavanagh Rdr: Craig Williams 54
2
0.1
Through Irish Eyes
- 5g Tavistock (NZ) x Zapurple (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Ethan Brown 54
3
1.4
Saracen Knight
- 8g Camelot (GB) x Za'hara (IRE) (Raven's Pass (USA))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: Damien Thornton 54
4
5.6
High Emocean
- 6m Ocean Park (NZ) x High Joy (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Ms L J Meech 54
5
6.3
Port Guillaume
- 6g Le Havre (IRE) x Keira (FR) (Turtle Bowl (IRE))
Tnr: Ben & J D Hayes Rdr: M J Dee 54
6
7.1
Teewaters
- 4g Dundeel (NZ) x My Girl Lil (AUS) (Not A Single Doubt (AUS))
Tnr: Archie Alexander Rdr: H Coffey 54
7
7.8
Memphis
- 6m Jukebox Jury (IRE) x Margarita (GER) (Lomitas (GB))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: W Egan 54
8
12.8
Double You Tee
- 8g Written Tycoon (AUS) x Kandy Korn (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: Patrick Payne Rdr: Josh Richards 52
9
14.3
Calmsir
- 4g Proisir (AUS) x Inner Peace (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: Shea Eden Rdr: Teodore Nugent 54
More Reading...
Wootton Bassett 2YOs on the March
Wootton Bassett’s star Northern Hemisphere two year-old Albert Einstein has been ruled out of Royal Ascot with a sprained joint that will require a few weeks off, but the red hot sire added two more talented debut winning juvenile colts at The Curragh overnight.
Horrifying Following in his Sire's Footsteps
At the famous Melbourne racecourse where his sire made his name, talented New Zealand-bred gelding Horrifying produced a dominant front-running performance to claim the biggest win of his career to date in Saturday’s A$175,000 Flemington Cup 1849 (2800m).
Second Winner For Ghaiyyath As Observer Scores By Five
Second on debut when just three parts of a length off the winner at Pakenham, the James Cummings’ trained Observer (Ghaiyyath) looked sensational as he made a mess of his rivals to score over 1400m in the Tile Importer Handicap on the Sandown Lakeside course.
Blueblood Import - American-Bred Jillaroo Records First Win
Purchased at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale by Ciaron Maher, the now 4yo mare Jillaroo (USA) (Curlin) initially started her racing career in the United States but after an Australian debut second at Caulfield in early May, recorded her maiden victory at Doomben.
$1500 Weanling Becomes $525,000 Top Lot at MM National Yearling Finale
A colt by Harry Angel set a new benchmark in Australia for his sire and topped the final day of the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale when selling for $525,000 to conclude a hugely successful two weeks of sales.
Pride of Jenni to Visit I Am Invincible - Match Made in Heaven
Three-time Champion Sire I Am Invincible has been confirmed as the first mating for reigning Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year Pride Of Jenni, who will head to the breeding barn this season following a phenomenal racing career.
Kiwi Bred Horrifying Finds Form at Flemington
Talented stayer Horrifying caused a minor upset when defeating highly-regarded galloper Berkshire Breeze in the Inside Run Trophy (2530m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Frosty Girl impressive on debut
The Chris Waller-trained Frosty Girl made the perfect start to her career when coming from last to land the Asahi Super Dry Plate (1300m) on debut at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Written By Filly Dominates Warwick Farm Juvenile Contest
First seen at the two-year-old trials back in September, Marc Conners’ chestnut filly Penpel (Written By) produce a quality effort at just her second racetrack appearance, racing clear at Warwick Farm to score by more than three lengths.
Stakes Performed Zousain Filly Too Good At Doomben
Third in the Listed Calaway Stakes two starts back, lightly raced two-year-old Zousain filly Sweet Pretender produced the goods at Doomben, charging late to win the Mullins Lawyers QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1350m).