The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable is expecting to see a big improvement from Hezashocka (NZ) (Shocking) at Flemington.
The New Zealand-bred son of Melbourne Cup winner Shocking will have the second start of his campaign in the Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m) on Saturday.
Hezashocka has been a slow mover through the ranks after starting his career in New Zealand.
After three starts for Shaun Clotworthy in New Zealand, that saw him land a Group Two victory, Hezashocka transferred to the care of Price and Kent Jnr late in the autumn of 2021.
After one start in Brisbane, he was put away for a shot at that year’s Spring Carnival, but he failed to trouble the scorers in three starts.
Resuming in May last year, Hezashocka scored first-up at Flemington over 1400m before again winning at the track over 2000m in July.
Hezashocka improved with racing during the spring, finishing fourth in the Gr.3 Craven Plate, second in the Rosehill Cup (2000m) before finishing third behind Zaaki (Leroidesanimaux) and Mo’Unga (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Gr.1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) on November 5.
That performance gave Price and Kent Jnr hope for an autumn campaign, although Hezashocka failed to get warm in the Gr.2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on March 4, although he did pass a few runners late from the tail of the field.
Kent Jnr said the 1600m was too short for the gelding while the race was also not run to suit.
“You’ll see a big improvement from him,” Kent Jnr said.
“He ran well first-up but the way the race was run didn’t suit at all for a backmarker.
“The step up to 2000 metres will be good for him and the horse is going super.”
Hezashocka is a $19 chance in Australian Cup betting following acceptances on Wednesday.
All-Star Mile runner-up, the Godolphin galloper Cascadian (New Approach) heads the market at $4.20.
