"Most people that buy a good horse are not interested in spelling it, but Phillip being a vet understood what was best for the horse and he agreed. The horse spent a month spelling at Te Akau. He won the group 3 on Saturday and is now favourite for the Queensland Derby."
The horse has been beautifully handled by trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards and equally by rider Opie Bosson on Saturday.
Even though Shocking Luck paid in the $6 range in winning easily, there was plenty of confidence in the camp. Bosson's ride was a peach and what we've all come to expect of our best horseman.
He momentarily joined a fierce pace battle as he came across from a wide gate inside the first 150m, but eased out of it and ended in a beautiful one-one fourth spot. From that point the opposition were running for second.
For a staying type Shocking Luck has an impressive burst of speed and when Bosson threw the 3-year-old the big question at the 300m the pair were suddenly three lengths clear and the race was over.
"He's looking for even more ground," said Bosson afterwards. This race was 2000m and Shocking Luck will eat up the 2400m of the Derby, and on firmer footing.
The stable has Zambezi Warrior, Melody Belle and Jimmy Rae in the Brisbane assault, which should provide a very profitable winter.
Cambridge stayer Chocante did a good job in his Australian debut to finish third in the A$125,000 Chairman's Handicap. From a mid-field barrier Chocante did a bit of work early to end up in fourth place around the bend out of the home straight.
He looked beaten on the home bend, but surged again at the 200m and comfortably held third.
Start Wondering finished not far behind the placegetters in the A$700,000 Doomben 10,000, paying the price of an early burn from a widish gate to get across and sit handy.
He was close enough on the home turn and fought as bravely as ever, but lacked the zip sprint of his 1200m rivals.
