The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable is pinning their faith in last start winner Hezashocka (NZ) (Shocking) providing them with victory in the Gr.1 Doomben Cup.
Hezashocka is coming off a last start win in the Listed Gosford Cup (2200m) at Newcastle on May 11 on a heavy track, conditions the stable hope will prevail for the 2000m Group One weight-for-age contest on Saturday.
The Doomben Cup could also determine the path Hezashocka takes further into his campaign.
Initially the stable was looking to the Gr.3 Premier’s Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday week, but a solid performance on Saturday may see the Gr.2 Q22 (2200m) at Eagle Farm on June 15, with its extra A$800,000 in prize money, come on the radar.
“We’re thinking the Premier’s Cup, three weeks in between runs is a beautiful race for him, but we thought the Doomben Cup was a nice race to get him there,” Kent Jnr said.
“If he brought his absolute A-game, he could be somewhere around the mix if the track is wet, but the tight track has to be some concern.
“Jamie Kah is booked to ride with a view to backing him up into the Premier’s Cup, but the Q22 is in the mix.
“If he happened to run really well in the Doomben Cup, then we might not worry about the Premier’s Cup and go to the Q22.”
Hezashocka broke a near two-year drought out when successful at Newcastle and Kent Jnr said the gelding was enjoying being prepared out of their Rosehill yard in Sydney.
Kent Jnr said Hezashocka had overcome some irritating niggles that had been hampering him.
“He was out of form last preparation, but we’ve got him going well this prep,” Kent Jnr said.
“He’s really enjoyed our Rosehill base and he loves getting on these soft and heavy tracks.
“He’s also been notoriously tardy away of late, but we found a few little niggles in his hind end that we’ve been able to help those out and for the first time in a long time he began a lot better.
“He put himself into the race and the big track at Newcastle, plus the extra trip, helped him.
“He’s won more than $1 million in prize money for connections and that was one of the more rewarding wins last time because it was more than two years between drinks.”
Hezashocka is among a capacity field of 16 runners on Saturday’s and has drawn barrier six.
The Chris Waller-trained Kovalica (NZ) (Ocean Park) is the $3.20 market leader, after drawing barrier three, ahead of Huetor (Archipenko) (11) and Detonator Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry) ($10) both at $6.
Hezashocka is a $21 chance to give Jamie Kah a third Group 1 win for the month.
