Three-time Group One starter Here To Shock (NZ) (Shocking) should get a long overdue third win at Sandown Lakeside on Wednesday, according to trainer Brent Stanley.
Stanley, who recently relocated to Bendigo, says Here To Shock is an intended starter for the Ladbrokes Money Back Odds Handicap (1600m).
The Benchmark 64 handicap is a far cry from contesting the Australian, Randwick and Rosehill Guineas last season, where Here To Shock was unplaced on each occasion at the elite level.
Here To Shock has firmed noticeably to win both his four-year-old starts this campaign but to the frustration of his supporters, has twice finished fourth.
The son of Shocking was beaten by two lengths by subsequent Flemington winner Nicolini Vito (Nicconi) when resuming over 1300 metres at Sandown Hillside on December 22 and then finished fourth to Stakes winner Blazejowski (Dash for Cash) in an open handicap (1400m) at Flemington on January 15, where he was a long way out of the handicap as a 69-rater.
“The plan was to get his handicap rating up a little bit, but he hasn’t had any luck,” Stanley said.
“He was not much hope first-up where he was in running when they broke the class record. Then he was no hope last start when they were going fast and he found himself outside the lead – he got left in front a long way out.
“He’s in good shape, he’s a lot fitter now, gets out to a mile and drops back sharply in grade.”
Stanley is eager for Here To Shock to win his mid-week assignment and then be afforded a short break to be gelded.
“He’s quite a good horse and I think when he is gelded he will be better,” Stanley said.
Here To Shock, purchased out of Cambridge Stud’s 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale draft, is $2.90 favourite with Sportsbet to win at Sandown Lakeside on Wednesday, with Damien Oliver booked to ride.
