The Ciaron Maher stable has a well-defined 12-month blueprint for Shockletz, which they are hopeful will prove fruitful at Flemington.
The 2026 Melbourne Cup has been a long-term objective for the daughter of Shocking, a horse who himself triumphed in the Cup.
However, Shockletz must earn her way into the Cup calculations, a goal the Maher team aims to achieve this Saturday in the Group 3 Archer Stakes over 2500 metres.
Victory in the Archer Stakes grants the winner automatic entry into the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 3, bypassing the ballot.
Another ‘Cup qualifier’ race will be held at Flemington, The Bart Cummings on October 3, with the Geelong Cup and Moonee Valley Gold Cup following later that month, both also offering ballot exemptions to their winners.
Twelve months ago, Shockletz enjoyed a strong period of form, winning four races with Harry Coffey in the saddle.
Her last win in that successful stretch was in October, with her sole subsequent victory coming at Pakenham in December.
Coffey is set to ride the mare again on Saturday, and Jack Turnbull, the National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, confirmed that blinkers will be applied.
“We’ve put some headgear on her,” Turnbull said.
“She travels well, but when they quicken, she’s flat-footed, and then she picks up again.
“We are third-up, a mile-and-a-half, essentially, and a bit of headgear, it should play to her favour, plus she likes big tracks and this has been a 12-month plan for her.
“We were conscious of what she did two preps ago and then we freshened her up to be on fresher legs, so that if she does qualify, she has not been taxed come the bigger races.”
The Maher team has a history of success with stayers who race through the winter and subsequently perform strongly in the Melbourne Cup.
Turnbull pointed to Persan, Grand Promenade, and Berkshire Breeze as horses that fit this profile.
Stablemate Jennivamoose is also entered for The Archer, having finished fourth in the race last year.
Jennivamoose has had only two starts since, finishing third on both occasions at Caulfield, and Turnbull indicated she will appreciate the rise in distance.
“She ran enormous at Caulfield last time,” Turnbull said.
“She’s had two wide gates this prep and had to go back and made really good ground.
“We’re looking forward to her getting out to this trip.”
Consider the available racing betting markets for the Archer Stakes at various betting sites.