A A$2 million prize on offer and potentially a slightly easier race than one worth less money in Melbourne could see Hezashocka (NZ) (Shocking) head to the Hill Stakes at Rosehill.
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained galloper is entered for both the Hill Stakes (1900m) on Saturday along with the A$750,000 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.
Hezashocka is number 21 in the entry order for the Hill Stakes and 26 in the Turnbull Stakes with each field having a field capacity of 14 and 16 runners respectively.
Both fields can also carry a maximum of four emergencies.
Price said the Hill Stakes was tempting while wet weather in Melbourne may way a change of thought.
“He’ll be much better suited in the Hill Stakes as he will be down in grade and it’s worth A$2 million,” Price said.
“He nearly won one of those races one day, but I don’t think he could win the Turnbull.”
Hezashocka ran third in the Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington in March and likes the big roomy track whereas he was not at home at Caulfield when beating one runner to the line in the Naturalism Stakes (2000m) on September 23.
“Last time he drew 16 and I think the horse gave up,” Price said.
“We were going to go forward but everything pushed up inside him. He (Blake Shinn) took hold and he’s not a Caulfield horse.
“He’s a big horse and he needs proper momentum all the time. He needs to build and build and build.”
Price said a decision would need to be made as to which way they head by acceptance time on Wednesday as he is not keen on accepting for both the Hill Stakes and Turnbull Stakes.
“The problem with accepting in both places is the big scratching fee,” Price said.
“It could be $10,000 or $12,000 to scratch and I don’t feel comfortable about that for the owners. They get their bill and there might $10,000 on it for nothing.
“The weather could influence us to run him here, but all that you need is a day or two of sunshine and the track will be a Good 4, so I’m pretty sure we’ll be going to Sydney.”
