3 Win Wednesday - Shockabella Beautiful

Given a daring ride by Craig Grylls, Shockabella (3 f Shocking – My Isabella, by O’Reilly) won the $25,000 Maiden 1800 metres on 26 February at Taupo.

Closing from beyond midfield in the Maiden 1600 metres on 31 January at Te Rapa, Shockabella appeared suited stepping up in distance and brought the right form to rate a top three chance.

Drawn the outside of nine runners, Shockabella led at the post with a lap to run, after Grylls pushed the button. She however settled into a rhythm in the back straight and, after pinching a break inside the 500m, to turn for home with a three-length advantage, she sustained a strong gallop to win.

In the race sponsored by Love Racing NZ Summer Bar, Shockabella ran 1800 metres in 1:53.2, last 600m in 36.0, and paid $7.30 & $1.70 on the NZ TAB tote.

“Sam (Bergerson) said to me before the race that she’s been getting back and over-racing and doing a few things wrong, but she jumped well today so I decided to put her in the race,” Grylls said.

“She still took a while to settle, but I was able to get a nice even tempo the whole way and halfway down the back she dropped the bit and relaxed.

“She gathered up underneath me really nicely and quickened down the hill (500m) and kicked away.

“She’s only lightly raced and I think she’s improving all the time.”

Owned by the Te Akau Shock ‘n’ Awe Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Shockabella was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $180,000 at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, from the draft of Riversley Park.

On course, co-trainer Sam Bergerson said: “Her barrier manners have let her down at times and she hasn’t been the easiest to handle at home, so a massive thank you to the team that works closely with her.

“She’s still got a bit to learn and the penny is still yet to drop, but it's good to see her put on a performance like that and hopefully she gets the confidence to go on with it.

“We always thought she’d go over ground, and it’s just getting her to settle and improve her barrier manners.”

Co-trainer Mark Walker added: “It was a beautiful ride by Craig (Grylls) to get away cleanly from the barriers, after having a few issues there, and controlling the speed.

“She has been a work in progress and our assistant trainer Nicole Shailer has done an amazing job with her in the Main Barn.

“Also, Dan Miller has worked hard getting her to relax and settle in track work, and the extra effort from Nicole and Dan has really paid dividends.

“She was strong at the end of 1800 metres and she still holds a nomination for the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m), so we’ll see what we do with her next.”

By outstanding racehorse Shocking (Street Cry), winner of both the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) and Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), who has continued the trend as a successful sire. Shockabella has a very strong influence in her dam line of some the best sires to stand in New Zealand: O’Reilly, Centaine, Zamazaan and War Hawk II.

At the time of purchase, Ellis said: “She’s a great bodied and loose walking filly and showed plenty of length of stride and stretch in her breeze up before the sale. 

“She is a great physical specimen, a real queen, by a very good sire, and out of a mare by Champion Sire O’Reilly (Last Tycoon).”

On course to accept the spoils, syndicate member and local resident Rakei Taiaroa said: “I got into her through friends that were already entrenched in the Te Akau magic.

“I bought my first horse as a 15-year-old for $200 at Claudelands and we made $30k out of that purchase, and I’ve had a few horses before. I live for horses and it’s such a privilege to be involved in the Te Akau company. They are the best in the country.”

Shockabella was strapped by Hayley Hassman.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz