Lindsay Park’s Ben Hayes made his first trip to Newcastle on Friday and came out a winner, with Here To Shock making light of his top weight in the $250,000 Group III Australian Bloodstock Cameron Hcp (1500m).
Completing a profitable day for Nash Rawiller, the Ben, Will, and JD Hayes-trained son of Shocking settled outside of the leader Matcha Latte and the pair fought out the race.
Here To Shock gradually wore down the Maurice (JPN) gelding by a half-length, with the Dark Angel import Berkshire Shadow one and three-quarter lengths back in third for the sponsors.
With Group III wins in the BRC Sprint and MRC Victoria Handicap and a Listed win in the BendJC Golden Mile, Here To Shock advances his record to ten wins, five seconds, and two thirds from 32 starts with earnings of $1,053,580.
“It’s my first time here and it’s been a great experience,” Ben Hayes said.
“It was a great ride by Nash. He nursed him, and he had a great kick.
“He is now qualified for the Big Dance, and hopefully, we will head in that direction.
“Dad won the Newcastle Cup on this day thirty years ago with Azzaam (USA), and he said that was his last time here.”
A $70,000 purchase for Slade Bloodstock from the Cambridge Stud draft at the 2019 Karaka Yearling Sale, 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.
Tony Ottobre shelled out $120,000 for Frescoes’ Trapeze Artist filly consigned by Carlaw Park to the 2024 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale. She is the final foal of Frescoes.
