Rain arrived at just the right moment for the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr team, who welcomed the downpour that hit Melbourne as acceptances were taken for Saturday’s Caulfield meeting.
The stable has targeted the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) for Hezashocka, a horse whose best performances have consistently come when the sting is out of the ground.
The challenge, however, is that the stayer’s record on firm footing is poor, with the horse struggling whenever conditions are too dry.
The track was listed as Good when acceptances were posted on Wednesday morning—just as heavy rain began sweeping across the city.
More showers remain in the forecast for the rest of the week, but it is uncertain how significantly they will impact the Caulfield surface.
“He hasn’t won for a while and he’s had something like 20 starts on good ground, for no result,” Price said.
“He needs to get his toe in. It’s a $750,000 race and he did run in a $1 million race three starts ago, so I’ll probably send him around because he’s in good order.”
Hezashocka earned $45,000 for finishing last in last month’s Group 1 Might And Power (2000m), then again found conditions against him in the Group 3 Bendigo Cup (2400m) on October 29.
When he finally struck softer ground during Melbourne Cup week, Hezashocka couldn’t see out the extra distance and finished a fading sixth in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m).
His last win came on a soft Brisbane track back in June last year.
A full field of 14 stayers has been assembled for the Zipping Classic, named in honour of the four-time Sandown winner who dominated the race from 2007 to 2010.
Hezashocka will face a strong line-up that includes Kovalica, Smokin’ Romans, Alenquer, Brayden Star, Star Vega and She’s A Hustler.
Price said a strong showing on Saturday could see Hezashocka progress to the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) on December 13.
The trainer noted the Pakenham track has been racing with plenty of moisture.
“It has been a wet track and racing like a heavy track, so that would suit him,” Price said.
“But by the time he gets to it, it might firm up a bit.”
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