Rich Hill stallion Shocking has had a wonderful start to the season with his progeny to the fore in both Australia and New Zealand.
Stakes horses for the dual Group 1 winning Street Cry stallion have included Gr.3 Lexus Bart Cummings winner Surprise Baby, who also put up a gallant performance in the Lexus Melbourne Cup. Shocking’s three-year-old filly Vegas Jewel has an exciting future following second placings in the Gr.3 Wakeful and Gr.2 Ethereal Stakes, while his New Zealand stakes performers have included Ticket To Ride, Tibetan, Soleseifei and Zelenski.
Last weekend Shocking’s great run continued with the Andrew Campbell-trained Tibetan putting forward his Derby case, this time with a bold second placing behind Scorpz in the Listed 3YO Salver (2100m) at Ellerslie on Sunday.
“Our Melbourne Cup for Tibetan is the (New Zealand) Derby in March and I think we’re looking a real good chance,” said Campbell.
“The 2400m is sure to be to his likening, he just drops his head and he’ll stay all day.”
Campbell said he will take a less than traditional path to the Derby.
“We’re going to freshen him up and run in the Karaka Mile. On paper he couldn’t win, but we’ll put the blinkers on and if there’s solid pace he’ll be running home strongly.”
Campbell then intends for Tibetan to contest the Avondale Guineas (2100m) mid February before taking his place in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby.
At Flemington on Saturday rising staying star Defibrillate recorded his fifth win from seven starts in the ‘Summer On The Roof Garden’ Handicap(2530m). He looks another potential Cups contender for Shocking.
“He is definitely going to make a class stayer,” said winning jockey Billy Egan.
“He is improving with each run and I think this is just the tip of the iceberg and he has a long way to go. He is still very raw and has only had seven starts.
Other talented progeny of Shocking’s to watch include Nerve Not Verve who scored a runaway win at Moonee Valley last time out for trainer Mike Moroney over 2040m. She is a half-sister to Gr.1 Auckland Cup winner Glory Days and looks an exciting and progressive staying prospect for her sire.
In Queensland the David Vandyke-trained Startled made it two-from-two when winning over 1400m by 7.75 lengths December 8 at the Sunshine Coast. Vandyke when interviewed post-race was full of praise for the raw ability and exciting speed shown by Startled, a colt he bought from Rich Hill’s 2017 Karaka draft to be his Melbourne Cup horse. The dream now continues, with Vandyke currently plotting his 11 month path towards the 2020 running of Australia’s great race.
News from Rich Hill Stud
