Fifth Stakes Winner for Shocking

Mark Smith - Sunday October 8

Winless in 13 starts since breaking her maiden at Ballarat in March last year, the Murray Johnson-trained Pure Pride was made third emergency in Saturday's Paris Lane Handicap (1400m) at Flemington.

The 5yo daughter of Melbourne Cup winner Shocking gained a start with the late scratchings and made it count when coming with a barnstorming finish to defeat Wyndspelle by two lengths with Saint Valorem a length away third. (photo Grant Courtney).

Advertisement


With just one horse behind him on the turn, Stephen Baster made the decision to stick to the fence and ride for luck.

It came soon after, spearing between runners, Pure Pride accelerated impressively to earn her first stakes victory much to the delight of trainer Murray Johnson.

"I don't have many horses to be running in these races, so it's awesome," he said.

Baster said he feared the mares run of bad luck might continue.

"Murray and the owners have suffered a bit with this mare over the years, she has not had much luck and today I thought it was going to be the same," Baster said.

"But she got the split a furlong out and exploded."

"Great job by Murray".

Passed in when failing to make her $15,000 reserve as a weanling, Pure Pride advances her record to 2 wins 2 seconds and 1 third from 16 starts with earnings of $163,810.

A half-sister to stakes-placed Acquisto (Thewayyouare), Pure Pride is the second foal of the three-time winning Shinko King mare Mamasan a sister to Group III winner Madame Shinko from the family of Group I Honda Stakes winner Pontormo (Chem).

Mamasan was purchased by Murray Thoroughbreds for $30,000 at the 2012 NZ Bloodstock National Broodmare Sale.

She has a 2yo colt by Shocking and was covered by Unencumbered last spring after missing to that stallion the previous year.

Pure Pride becomes the fifth stakes winner for Rich Hill Stud's Shocking (Street Cry) where he stands at a fee of 12,500 +gst.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Goffs Orby Day 2 - Trio of Million Dollar Yearling Fillies
The second day of the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale took off overnight with three individual yearlings selling for a million or more with the full sister to dual Group I winning champion 2YO Colt Blackbeard selling for €1.9 million to MV Magnier.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 30
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Youngsters Impress Leading into Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale
The build up to the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale has intensified with a swag of impressive breeze up performances over the past week.
Swettenham Stud Delighted with Lofty Strike Foals
Swettenham Stud are delighted with the growing buzz of excitement surrounding the first foals for young gun sire Lofty Strike.
Almanzor Mare Chasing More Black Type
Group Two performer Mary Shan will be in search of an elusive stakes victory when she heads south to Hawera on Saturday where she will contest the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).
2025 G1 The Metropolitan Field and Barrier Draw
Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher are set to have half of the Group I Metropolitan field between them with the Waller trained Birdman an easing favourite after drawing a wide gate for Saturday’s race.
2025 G1 Epsom Handicap Field and Barrier Draw
The field and barrier draw has been decided for the Group I Epsom Handicap on Saturday with odds-on favourite and unbeaten mare Autumn Glow drawing the extreme outside gate in a field of 14.
Kiwi Raider Pier Upbeat Ahead of Epsom
Co-trainer and part-owner Darryn Weatherley is taking a glass half full approach ahead of Saturday’s Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) after he came up with an awkward wide gate for Pier.
Autumn Glow Epsom Challenge - Just How Big Is This Task?
With the unbeaten Autumn Glow set to run as the first odds-on favourite this century in the Epsom Handicap on Saturday we thought we’d run some data to see how big this mountain is that she’s attempting to climb, and turns out, it’s pretty big.
Magic Trials at Caulfield Heath
Early season two-year-olds will step out this Thursday, 2 October, at the Caulfield Spring Trials presented by Magic Millions, with 800m 2YO heats following the opening trial for Group performers at 7:30am on the Caulfield Heath.