The Lindsay Park team was wildly celebrating a memorable two-state double following the Listed Bendigo Golden Mile (1600m) win of the ever-improving Here To Shock.
The double came on the back of a similar double from the Peter Moody team, who an hour earlier won the A$3 million Gr.1 T J Smith Stakes (1200m) with I Wish I Win at Randwick and then followed up shortly after with a stakes win from Waltz On By at Bendigo.
Ben and J.D. Hayes followed that blueprint with Mr Brightside’s second win in the A$4 million Gr.1 Doncaster Handicap (1600m), followed up by an impressive Golden Mile win by Here To Shock.
While not quite boasting the same early form lines of Mr Brightside, Here To Shock is certainly putting together a solid CV, with his Golden Mile win registering his seventh win from just 19 starts with earnings of nearly A$500,000.
So much so, the big spring middle-distance handicaps of the Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) and Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) are likely aims for the horse as his next campaign.
“There’s not a great deal left for him at this time of year. It might be a good chance to reset him for spring,” said Lindsay Park racing manager Dom Rhoden.
“He gets his rating up now with a stakes win and we could possibly look at a few of those handicap races in spring.
“It’s a great thrill for the whole team back at the farm and at Flemington. It’s been a big half-an-hour and we couldn’t be happier.”
Jockey Daniel Stackhouse rode a great race as he bided his time turning for home before securing a neat rails run and then bursting clear to score.
On the line, Here To Shock ($3.80) had a length and a quarter margin over $81 chance Laure Me In with $101 shot Prince Of Helena in third.
For rider Daniel Stackhouse, he was simply pleased to be part of the historic day for Lindsay Park.
“I can’t thank the guys enough,” he said. “The boys (Ben and J.D.) are doing a fantastic job, winning the Doncaster, while us battlers over here at Bendigo are doing our best. So, thanks to them and it’s good to have a good crowd here at Bendigo.”
Stackhouse said Here To Shock is continuing to develop as a racehorse.
“His racing manners are getting a lot better, he’s switching off in those early stages and it’s definitely paying off for later,” he said.
Bred by boutique thoroughbred nursery Sunlight Trust, Here To Shock was a $70,000 purchase by agent Rob Slade under his Slade Bloodstock banner from the Cambridge Stud draft during the Book 1 session at the National Yearling Sale at Karaka in 2019.
He is out of the Lonhro mare Frescoes, a three-quarter sister to Gr.1 Patinack Stakes (1200m) winner Mental and from an extended family that includes dual Group One winner Freemason.
The victory capped another fine day for Rich Hill Stud with Here To Shock a product of their resident stallion Shocking, the sire now of 21 individual stakes winners.
Earlier in New Zealand, another Rich Hill stallion in Proisir was represented by Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2000m) winner Arby. NZ Racing Desk/Racing.com
