Racing in career-best form, the 6-year-old Shocking gelding Here To Shock got the decision in a dramatic finish to the Group III Ladbrokes BRC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday.
Ridden by Michael Dee for Ben, Will, and JD Hayes, Here To Shock darted between runners in the straight to strike the lead before coming under a strong challenge on his inside by the lightly weighted favourite Freedom Rally (Rubick), who fell a nose short.
Prince Of Boom (Spirit Of Boom) was nose back in third.
JD Hayes said it was a relief when the number went up.
“Photo finishes haven’t really been going our way over the last six months, so great to get the head down. Brave effort by the horse, terrific ride,” Hayes said.
“I can’t thank Rob Heathcote and his team enough. They’ve let us stay and made us feel at home.
“This horse has really gone to another level and I was pleased he was able to cope with the speed. He was strong through the line.”
Hayes said the son of Melbourne Cup winner Shocking will back up in the Stradbroke.
“It is hard to do, but he’s a horse in form and that is a force to be reckoned with. Maybe an upset this year.”
Winning rider Michael Dee was confident he got the bob.
“I thought I might have just held on. Good, tough effort, but I’m glad the winning post came up.
“I was very happy after two furlongs and there was speed coming across from out wide. It got messy there, approaching the 1000-metres.
“Had to concede a position or else we would have been in an average spot. Glad it all worked out. It was tough to hold any challengers.”
A $70,000 purchase for Slade Bloodstock from the Cambridge Stud draft at the 2019 Karaka Yearling Sale, Here to Shock advances his record to nine wins, four seconds, and two thirds from 29 starts with earnings of $885,180.
Bred by The Sunlight Trust, Here To Shock is a half-brother to Listed winner Turn The Ace out of the winning Lonhro mare Frescoes, a granddaughter of the top-class, Group 1 winning filly Shaybisc (Biscay.
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