Brisbane Group 3 Glory for Shocking Luck

Shocking Luck (3 g Shocking - Shamardal Luck, by Shamardal) could hardly have produced a more impressive lead up to Queensland Derby when blitzing his rivals in the $125,000 Rough Habit Plate (Gr. 3, 2000m) on Saturday 13 May at Doomben racecourse in Queensland.

Narrowly beaten when resuming on 1 May in the Class 3 Plate 1500 metres at Ipswich, following a great run for second in the Darci Brahma Waikato Guineas (Gr. 2, 2000m) at his previous start in early February at Te Rapa, Shocking Luck is aiming to contest the $150,000 Grand Prix Stakes (Gr. 3, 2200m) on 27 May before the $600,000 Queensland Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) on 10 June, both at
Eagle Farm.

With only a fortnight between races, co-trainer Jamie Richards said: “He doesn't need to do a lot of work between times. But he would need to eat well at the beginning of next week to warrant that, and a month to the Derby wouldn't be a problem either. While the Grand Prix is in our plans, he needs to show us that he wants to do that”.

Bred by Terry Archer and Grant Currie, who chose Te Akau trainers Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards to prepare the horse, Shocking Luck was recently sold to Dr. Phillip Mak in Hong Kong.

“It was such a thrill to win for Dr. Mak today,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis.

“It was a great team effort, because he (Dr. Mak) had the common sense to spell the horse after I bought him, rather than press on to our Derby, and the extra time has been the makings of the horse.

“He's developing into a top Group One horse and that was evidenced in the manner of his win today.”

Sent forward from barrier ten in search of handy position, Shocking Luck appeared in danger of working too hard in the early stages when caught wide at the post with a lap to run, but a quick decision by rider Opie Bosson to ease resulted in securing a perfect spot in fourth with cover.

Cantering along thereafter, Shocking Luck quickened to lead on straightening at the 350 metres and raced away to win by 2.75 lengths with the appearance of more in the tank.

“He went close when first up the other day and we were just waiting for the 2000 metres,” Bosson said. “Today was ideal and he's an out and out stayer, and he stayed too well for them.

“We went through a rush early, but they were going a bit quick, so I thought I'd come back and he ended up in the nice spot. He travelled beautifully and cruised up when I wanted him to.”

On footing rated Soft7, Shocking Luck ran the 2000 metres in 2:06.1, last 600m in 36.7, and paid $6.20 & $2.10 ($5.50 & $1.90) on the NZ TAB.

“Steve and Jamie have done a really good job with him and I thought it was an absolutely ten out of ten ride by Opie,” Ellis said.

“I was so proud to win our first race for Dr. Mak. He's a lovely man, a veterinary surgeon, and really passionate about the New Zealand thoroughbred and he understands racing. It was a special moment to see this horse cross the line and win as easily as he did, because it shows he's got a huge future. On that run, he's going to be a huge chance in the (Queensland) Derby and later on in the Hong Kong Derby.

“Jamie has been over there with our horses for the last few weeks and he together with Kerry (Jones) and Mason (Stevens) are doing a great job. All three of our horses [including Hall of Fame and Zambezi Warrior] went well today. They all weighed in on ground that didn't suit them all.

Ellis also reflected on the last time he won the Rough Habit, saying: “Mark Walker trained Distinctly Secret to win the race in 2002. He went on to win the Grand Prix after that, before being caught four wide and finishing fourth in the Derby”.

Shocking Luck is the first foal of Shamardal Luck, a winner up to 2100 metres, and has an interesting cross of Machiavellian (Mr. Prospector) on both sides of his pedigree. Machiavellian is the sire of Street Cry, who sired Shocking, and he also features on the dam side of his dam sire Shamardal. And, Mr. Prospector blood is showing prominently in the pedigrees of many of the best staying horses around the world in recent times.

“We thought he was a Queensland Derby sort of horse,” Richards said. “He ran very well in the Waikato Guineas at home and subsequently David (Ellis) sold him to a new client, Dr. Phillip Mak, in Hong Kong. So, congratulations to Phillip. It's a huge achievement. He's new to the game and he's got a very exciting horse on his hands.”

Richards said that following the Queensland Derby Shocking Luck would head to Hong Kong. “He's got a couple of runs here for us first and hopefully the tracks will continue to improve because we believe he is better on top of the ground but today was a very good run”.

“He's a straight out New Zealand staying sort of horse. He's a big, skinny, type of horse and it was a lovely ride by Opie to get the one/one and we're really pleased with the way everything has gone.

“His run at Ipswich, he probably couldn't have done that three or four months ago over a mile. He's always needed ground. He's only won over 2000 metres, so he's an exciting horse to have in the stable.”

Shocking Luck was strapped by Kerry Jones.